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Unusual behavior at the nestbox...or is it?

17 years ago

Much to my delight, the blues have been pretty active at the nestbox over the last week or so. This morning, several were in the trees and two males spent alot of time at the box. One would perch on top while the other would go in and out...then vice versa. No female was in sight, but she could have been close by in a tree, and I just couldn't spot her.

Is it unusual for two males to check out the box at the same time? I don't know if this is my Daddy blue and his son, or maybe these two are siblings. It was just strange not to see the male and female together. Doesn't matter who pays a visit, I'm always thrilled to have them around!

Donna

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Comments (3)

bluebars
17 years ago
I agree Donna, I'm always thrilled to have bluebirds around.
Maybe they were young birds, practicing for spring, or a parent teaching a young one. I guess they have to learn somehow?
Two unrelated adult males would not likely be as cooperative as you described. But only the bluebirds know for sure.
BlueBars
rayinri
17 years ago
Hi Donna
Over the winter here in RI there are not many bluebirds that winter here
but most are male and only 30% female. Most flocks that try and winter here
are older males and birds that just cannot make the trip south due to a injury
as the weather turns colder in DEC and JAN the birds that have tried to stay
north panic and move south many times to late as the snow pack can
cover a large area many birds fly down here in mid winter from NH and ME
only to find no food and harsh climate. They mix in with my birds but many
die in a harsh winter. Many of the birds here in Southern NE are from
northern area's and its by no means mild. One winter a flock roosted
in one box they filled the box half way with bird mess. Found one dead female at the bottom. It had to be a flock of 15 birds at night in that box
we had snow pack most of the winter by march very few birds were found
on the farm the winter kill was massive due to snow pack here.
Ray
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LindaMA
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Oh that's so sad Ray, the poor things.

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