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Blue's night behaviour

15 years ago

Hi, I've actively rehabbed wildlife over 30 years now, specializing in birds but tonight have come across something I've not encountered before and none of the people I have contact with regarding birding haven't either. That is unless the nest has been visited by a predator.

This is the first nest after we were hit by tornadoes in May and of course they chose a very unusual place to nest. A decorative bird house atop a pole that I'm using to support my tomatoes. They've been doing fine until today or should say tonight. The babies are one week old and Mama always sits on them at night. But this evening the parents along with all the other blues were in a frenzy over something in the trees. I searched everywhere but couldn't find what it was that was bothering them. We have an owl that visits at times but I have always found it and made it move on. This time I couldn't find what it was. I didn't give much thought to it until I went out to throw out some old hen eggs in the woods and always check to make sure the "blue kids" are fine. This time, no parent was on the kids or even near by. It's 10 pm now and am wondering what has happened. I've not ever had any bird leave the nest unless a predator had chased them out. I can't see any evidence of this and none of the tomato plants are disturbed. I'm well qualified to care for the babies but prefer the parents do this and am hesitant at this time to remove them. Has anyone heard of the parents leaving the kids at night? The box they chose to nest in is extremely small and the doorway is very large. Wouldn't accomodate both parents at one time and mama always has her tail bent upward while sitting. I'll wait till morning if I can keep myself from watching the box all night and if they're really gone, I'll take over. Just curious to see if anyone has heard of them NOT staying on the youngsters at night. Thanks :)

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Comments (4)

lisa11310
15 years ago
Hello. Not sure where to start. I'm glad your wildlife is returning from the tornado. You say you are specializing in rehabbing birds. I am quite confused though on your lack of knowledge about cavity nesting birds. I encourage you to go to www.sialis.org and learn how to offer safe housing. There are ways to protect them from nearly every predator you can think of. It does sound like there was something lurking, could have been a snake, Raccoon, Owl etc. Your babies are in danger. You should never put a decorative bird house out without blocking the entrance (most folks don't know that)because as you have found , the birds WILL use them. Is this house made of wood and properly vented so the babies don't get to hot? I'm not only concerned with the placement but also the babies falling out if the box is to small and the entrance is large. I hope everybody is OK and that the parents have returned and are feeding them. Let us know whats going on so we can help you to improve this situation. Good luck.
dzyg
15 years ago
At about a week or a little more (I cannot recall the actual time frame) the baby birds can regulate their own heat and don't need momma to brood them overnight. The Momma bluebird does not stay in the nestbox overnight during the entire nesting process, only in the beginning. I am suprised a bird rehabber or other birders would not know this.

Plus I am sure there are plenty of raccoons around and throwing hens eggs into the woods would be a great draw for them. Eventually they will probably find that nestbox you have improperly mounted and eat whatever is inside of it. At night they just reach in through the hole, grab what is in there and eat it be the momma, eggs or babies. How many babies are in there? If the nestbox is quite small and the entrance large you may have problems as they grow, you certainly don't want any falling out prematurely, they normally don't fledge until day 17-20 after hatching. You need to plug that hole after this nesting is done and if you want to continue attracting bluebirds go to sialis.org and learn how to properly install a correct Bluebird house.

Good luck! I sure hope everything is ok with your baby Blues. If for some reason you are not seeing the momma, the dad can take care of the nestlings once they don't need her to brood them anymore.

Donna
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agpwpnt
15 years ago
Curious to know 2greyfeathers what is happening with your babies. I would suggest putting up a baffle now or even substituting the house and pole with a better and more protected one. Relocating the kids to a new house is a big step but I believe if you don't do something now to protect them they won't make it to fledge. I had houses and successful nests for years before a racoon raided 3 of my houses this year. I won't make the mistake again of leaving the nests and babies vulnerable even for one night.
lisa11310
15 years ago
Not sure but this may have been a troll. Anybody that has been rehabbing birds should know the Mom does not stay in the nest at night after 8-10 days old. This person registered the day of the post and has not commented since. Not sure of the purpose.

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