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3rd Nesting! Question...

13 years ago

I have a Bluebird house in my backyard that has seen 2 successful broods this summer. I have recently placed a second Bluebird house in my front yard (I was trying to see if I could get 2 different sets to nest in my yard). The house in the back has remained empty after the second group fledged around June 22nd. The house in the front showed signs of activity 3 days ago...and sure enough a nest has appeared and as of today has 1 egg!

My question is this...is this most likely the same Bluebird couple that was first using the backyard house? Or could it be another pair?

Also, I had a whistle that let the bluebirds know that it was mealworm time. They always used to come and eat from the feeder I placed near the house in the backyard. Right after the second brood fledged they would still come to eat when I would whistle. As of the last 6 days they are now not coming to eat. Any ideas on why or what has happened? Some of the worms that are placed there are not "live" ones in the bunch(the heat killed them in the shipping process)...they are hard to fish out so didnt do it. Could this be a reason?

I am new to the beautiful blues and just love learning more about them and their behavior. Thanks for your help!!

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Comments (3)

dzyg
13 years ago
My guess would be that the ones nesting in the front yard now are a new pair, or they would keep coming when they hear that whistle. Most likely when the backyard pairs nesting fledged the new pair took over that territory. While it is possible to get two pairs of bluebirds with a house in between, it won't always happen. It all depends on what the first male thinks is his territory. Once the nestlings fledge though they go out of their territory so they no longer have one persay. The new pair probably took up residence in the other males absence and now they rules the yard. Whether or not the old male comes back to reclaimn his backyard territory is now up to the front yard male...depends on where he thinks his territory is now. A bluebirds territory is approx 100 yds around the nestbox. Your old pair may come back..sometimes it takes a week or two to start another nesting...but they might not come back now either because of the other male in the front yard. Hard to tell what will happen...you will just have to watch and see. You may need to train the front yard blues now to come to the mealworms. Good luck!

Donna
kendra2003
13 years ago
It really is hard to tell. It could be the same pair or a new one. The ones I have here nesting now will not come when I call them anymore. They are definitely the same pair. First they nested out back, then in the box within the dog fence, now they're out back again. My guess is that they don't need as much food when they're not feeding nestlings. And food is plentiful right now (insects everywhere). I'm guessing that after the new clutch hatches and they need more food, they will be back to coming when I fill the feeder. That's what happened the last two times. So who knows? If your Blues start coming when they're called after the babies hatch, then it's probably the same pair. If they ignore you, it's probably a new pair.
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ahbender
Original Author
13 years ago
Donna and Kendra...
thank you both so much for all of your information. You all are consistently so great about getting back to people with all of your great knowledge and support? Many thanks. I will let you know what happens when I whistle for them after this next clutch hatches. Take care!!
Second most perfect blue egg arrive today...expecting at least 2 more I hope!

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