Learned something about bluebirds today

3 years ago

I have been keeping bluebird nest boxes for many years. We have 4 scattered around our property and I did a lot of reading about them when I was first getting started. A lady who formerly owned the local Wild Birds Unlimited also helped me with lots of advice too. This was 20+ years ago. And in the old GW days there was a bluebird forum, which was quite helpful.

So today I was out putting out bluebird nuggets and dried mealworms. I knew one nest box had a new nest so I had to peek to see if any eggs were in it. I was totally surprised to find 4 white eggs! They were about the same size as a bluebird egg. In a little while I saw Mama Bluebird peeking her head out the hole, so I watched to see what she would do. She finally just flew out.

I was rather busy doing some cleaning in the garage, so when I finished I ran in to check and see what interloper had laid these eggs in my Mama Blue’s nest. I was all prepared to steel myself for having to get rid of them. Imagine my surprise to discover that some bluebirds lay white eggs! I was amazed to learn this, and also find that if they ever do this, they will forever lay white eggs. Here is a screen shot from the Sialis website that discusses this. I know a few of you love bluebirds and birds in general and may have even known this. I just learned it and wanted to share.

Featured Answer

lascatx

3 years ago

Bunny -- might be al older sibling. Even one from last year who didn't find a mate and is helping look after the little ones.

We have 5 eggs or little ones in our box right now (been busy with our dog and had a lot of rain, sonot out looking) and had 4 in the first brood. I've heard of white eggs and have seen photos, but have not had any. All the eggs that momma lays will be white because she doesn't have what is responsible for the blue pigment. The only "trash eggs" here are house sparrows who are not native and are very aggressive -- will kill the bluebirds to claim a nest box. Their eggs are speckled brown -- glad you didn't see those.

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Comments (9)

lizzie_grow
3 years ago
So cool!!!
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OutsidePlaying thanked lizzie_grow
l pinkmountain
3 years ago
Thank god for the internet! I love it when I learn new facts like that! That's why some of us become science weenies, the constant adrenaline rush of new information . . . ;)
OutsidePlaying thanked l pinkmountain
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jojoco
3 years ago
Oh, lucky you! I was always hoping to attract bluebirds to the feeders and finally figured out that all I needed to do was put out a platform feeder filled with dried mealworms. Now I see them all the time, but it's still a thrill!
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OutsidePlaying thanked jojoco
OutsidePlaying
Original Author
3 years ago
Isn’t that true, lpink?! It was a long shot at best that I would find the answer as quickly as I did.
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Allison0704
3 years ago
I didn't know that either. Love WBU. We moved yesterday, and there is one about 30 minutes from us now. Not much farther than the one I shopped at in AL. I had Bluebirds come to our feeders for shelled Sunflower seeds and Bark Butter. Love, love, Bark Butter which was invented by the founder of WBU. I use the log feeder, and had three varieties of Woodpeckers eating all day, along with numerous other varieties.

Your post reminded me I never got the my two Bluebird boxes down. :( It was on my To Do list for L (our handyman/electrician) twice, but other things always came first.

Question - why were you going to remove the eggs if not Bluebirds? I would have left them alone.
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OutsidePlaying thanked Allison0704
OutsidePlaying
Original Author
3 years ago
Allison, I was really torn about removing 4 eggs and would not have done so until I was certain it wasn’t a ‘trash bird’. When the female blue showed up in the nest again, I knew something was somewhat normal.

I have heard of certain birds laying an egg in a bluebird clutch. I think maybe a cowbird. And house sparrows and others will attack bluebird babies sometimes, so I was afraid maybe another bird I didn’t recognize had taken over. When I looked at what birds laid white eggs I knew it couldn’t be any of those, so I looked at it a different way and lo and behold there was the white bluebird eggs.
Bunny
3 years ago
My nextdoor neighbor owns the local WBU. It's Bird Central at our houses.

My western bluebird babies have got to be close to leaving the nest. The parents have been on shared feeding duty for at least two weeks and it seems like more than that. Yesterday I saw three bluebirds sitting on the top of the bird box and wondered what that was. Mom, Dad, Auntie?

I just love these little guys.
OutsidePlaying thanked Bunny
Bunny
3 years ago
Aw lascatx, an older sibling helping mom and dad out. I think it might be a brother, a "lifelong bachelor," because there seem to be more colorful birds delivering the food.
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Learned something about bluebirds today

lascatx

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Learned something about bluebirds today

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