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Dummy Nest Question

16 years ago

I have what I believe to be a dummy bluebird nest in my nesting box ... after the unsuccessful nest where the four 12-day old nestlings were raided from the nest. There is still a pair of blues visiting my mealworm feeder, but they are not using the nest. (I believe they are the pair that have 5 eggs in the neighbor's nesting box that I am monitoring for him while he is on vacation.)

I see a male bluebird hanging on the front of my box and sitting on top the post, but after a week now, it appears to be a dummy nest.

Question: Should I remove the nest to make it possible for another pair of blues to make a new nest in the box or just leave it?

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Comments (7)

griffin_MD
16 years ago
How long has the nest been inside the nestbox? If it were me, I would give it a while longer, especially since you are seeing a bluebird at the box. Bluebirds don't really build dummy nests but something may have happened to discourage the pair and cause them to nest elsewhere. It's also possible that there have been eggs laid but they are being removed, possibly by a house wren or sparrow.
Keep us posted.
Kathy
mlkbskt
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for your reply. The nest has been there for about 9 days now. It is woven of white pine needles, just like the 1st nest that was unsuccessful. It is perfectly formed, doesn't really have a bottom. I read somewhere that a male may have done it to try and entice a female. Is that possible?
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bigmatt
16 years ago
No!,Do not remove the nest,9 days is very normal,Males do not build nest,Only the female.Be patient I believe eggs will show up within a week from now.I have a nest that has been built on one of my trails for 2 weeks now,still no eggs,but they are very much defending the nest box, I wouldn't even consider removing the nest,it does no harm leaving the nest,but removing it could be devastating.Hang in there,and keep us posted.

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lisa11310
16 years ago
Check the box for wasps or anything else that may keep them away, but I agree it's normal to not get eggs right away. If for some reason nothing ever happens be sure to save the nest.
mlkbskt
Original Author
16 years ago
I check the nest every day, hoping. Still nothing. Just a nicely formed nest with no bottom. No wasps etc. The box is nice and clean.

Saw the male sitting on the pole again today, and a pair of blues are still eating at my mealworm feeder. I will leave the nest. Thanks for the responses.
kurtgauger1
11 years ago
I have a nestbox that 2 bluebirds checked out for a few weeks then built a nest 5/31/15. No eggs yet. They defended nest aggressively for8 or 9 days then house sparrow was hanging around on top of nest and bluebirds were ignoring it. Bluebirds still coming to bluebird enclosed feeder then flying away. It has been 10 or 11 days since nest completion. Should I wait longer or clean out nest. Did not see any eggs or evidence that eggs were raided.

Thanks!

First year bluebirder
lisa11310
11 years ago
Are you sure the HOSP didn't toss the eggs? Go to www.sialis.org to read up on all that is Bluebird (& other cavity nesters). If you do remove the nest be sure to keep it in a sealed container in case you need to change a nest out some day.

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