Yesterday, I visited my other site with 2 boxes that are on a couple diff. properties. The week before, a HOSP was inside the entrance hole to one chirping away! I wasn't able to get him. So when I returned yesterday, I set out my Van Ert. A bird that clearly LOOKED like a HOSP landed on the box and moved around like one too. At the same time, I was hearing HOSP vocalization. I watched the box. I heard it go off, thinking "YES!" Upon further inspection, I found it was a female bluebird!! In my other box, I had a Van Ert set, and again heard the HOSP vocalizations. 2 birds were at it. 1 was trapped. I opened the box with bag, out flew another female bluebird! Turns out the HOSP left and there are 2 pairs at this site who were near each other at one box WITHOUT fighting. Despite the females being trapped, they promptly returned to their boxes. Here at home, I have 2 box pairs, and my TRES pairs just returned for the season. I have a Blue pair actively, slowly but surely building a nest. A male and female HOSP just showed up at the other pair, and TRES were harrasing them. Of course, at the same time, my Van Erts are set! This is my first ever experience trapping bluebirds with the Van Ert. Contrary to what sialis says, both female bluebirds flew straight out INTO my mesh bag. I scurried them back in the boxes, removed the bag, and opened the doors. They exited immediately. Crazy stuff here! the Bluebirds appear in control, even at my second site, where there are many HOSP. Can't believe it. ~Tim~

Will let things work themselves out.

Well, bluebirds are funny. Even though we build them "perfect" boxes, they will nest in strange places, and I think we all wish we could get inside their heads sometimes! Some people will either put out mealworms, sprinkle nesting material around the base of the box (usually pine needles), or even put a blue ribbon on the top (take down when bluebirds come, as it reminds the male of the wing-wave of another bird). However, despite best-laid plans, nature has a way of forging its own path. I saw a similar situation with tree swallows last summer - they chose a cheap decorative birdhouse with holes on both sides, totally odd size and layout to the house, hanging unsteadily on a branch. They built a nest and I believe had eggs, but later abandoned it (too many children around). I can still peek in and see the nest/feathers because there's no way to open it! I can only imagine how discouraging it is that your blues aren't nesting in your box, but look on the bright side: you can still see them coming and going, and since bluebirds often come back to the same vicinity next year (or even for their next brood) perhaps you can entice them to your box with some yummy mealworms. :) Best of luck!

No, the male can not incubate and brood the babies. They can take care of them once they are about a week old. Do you have cats? Check the nest for eggs. If there are eggs put a small dot on one with a marker then check to see if it has been moved. You want to be sure it was YOUR bird that you found the remains of.