26 replies to this topic

[Kaysei]

The bluebirds were nesting again and laid five gorgeous little eggs about three weeks ago. I was getting concerned that they hadn't hatched yet, since I've read incubation time was usually about two weeks. I kept checking the nest to make sure the eggs were still there, but I didn't actually disturb anything. A few days ago, I thought it was a little odd that the nest seemed slightly taller than before, but I didn't think too much about it since the parents were still around and flying in and out. Today I decided if the eggs hadn't hatched yet, surely something must be wrong with them. I checked the nest and didn't see any eggs, so I thought they had just disappeared like one time before. Then I realized they were still there but covered over with more pinestraw. I pulled them out and they all had holes in them...not really big holes but bigger than a pinhole. The parents had obviously been rebuilding another nest right on top of them and I didn't know it. The new nest was just started today, but I'm really not sure if the eggs were destroyed today or a week ago. I read that wrens will destroy eggs by poking holes in them. I haven't seen any other birds around the nest box, but I'm not around all day either. Poor bluebirds! I think this makes the 2nd or 3rd time they didn't hatch. They seemed to be better off when I just let them nest in the newspaper box. I tried to post pics but couldn't.

[Carolina]

Ahhh...so sad. Thought that just getting Bluebirds to nest in my box was the true test but then the eggs have to hatch & then the baby birds have to make it too.

I read that wrens will destroy eggs by poking holes in them.

Had no idea. Will have read up on this.

[creeker]

Oh yeah, House Wrens are notorious for that. I can't remember who it was on forum here last year, that had their Bluebird eggs destoyed by House wrens.

[Kaysei]

The birds have built a new nest already. They left me a present too. Is this even a bluebird feather? The more I think I know, I realize I don't know much of anything!

http://www.whatbird...._2976_30981.jpg

[stewart1998]

The birds have built a new nest already. They left me a present too. Is this even a bluebird feather? The more I think I know, I realize I don't know much of anything!

http://www.whatbird...._2976_30981.jpg

That looks like a Blue Jay feather.

[Kaysei]

That looks like a Blue Jay feather.

That was my first thought. It was right in the nest.

[creeker]

That's actually a Mourning Dove tail feather.

[Kaysei]

That's actually a Mourning Dove tail feather.

Well, that's strange. I guess the bluebird might have picked it up accidentally with the pine straw. I'm pretty sure the dove can't fit through the nest box opening.

[Kaysei]

The bluebirds are certainly persistent, if nothing else! About two weeks ago, there was another egg in the nest. A few days later it was gone. I didn't check again until yesterday afternoon, and now there are four eggs. I'm gonna keep a close distant eye on things!

[Kaysei]

This is crazy. On May 10, the eggs were completely gone. Today there are 4 new eggs. How many times will they keep trying?! I think this is the 4th attempt in about two months. I keep hoping things will be different, but I don't know how to help them.

[JimBob]

Wow. . . amazing!

[threeofhardts]

It is frustrating, isn't it? Every spring I look forward to a family of Bluebirds, but the last 2 springs have brought nothing but heart-ache here, thanks to House Wrens and possibly House Sparrows. This time after 4 eggs were laid, they were destroyed and the female Bluebird was killed by something. I'm using her picture for my avatar.

A couple weeks later a new pair of Bluebirds began building a nest. It was nearly finished. Then one day when I checked inside the nesting box, it had been completely emptied. A House Wren had taken over the box and I haven't seen the Bluebirds since.

[Kaysei]

They certainly are protective of the nest, regardless of the viability of the eggs. Incoming!!!

[Kaysei]

As of today there are still 3 eggs, but I don't think they're going to hatch.

[threeofhardts]

Kaysei, do you know what date the last egg was laid? Incubation takes 12-14 days.

I'm a bit concerned about my BB family now, too. Haven't seen the male in several days.

[Kaysei]

There were 4 eggs on May 26, and the parents are still around. Do you think there's still hope? It would be nice if they were successful for a change. I hope yours are OK too.

[threeofhardts]

I'm afraid the 4 eggs that were there on May 26th are well past the expected hatch date. Incubation is usually 12-14 days and can be up to 19 days in colder climates. It's hard to know why they haven't hatched. Could be they were damaged by a predator or perhaps the temperature got too hot inside the nesting box. Has your weather been extremely hot? It's been quite warm here this past week. I'm sorry you've had such a rough time.

I still have not seen the male. The female comes and goes throughout the day but there's no sign of dad. The eggs are due to hatch around the 22nd-24th and I don't know if she'll be able to raise them alone. I want to get some mealworms to help her feed the babies once they hatch. It sure has been a sad year for Bluebirds.

[Kaysei]

Sad indeed! I think I've had only one successful nesting/hatching/fledging story in the past few years. I really think these eggs should've hatched already. It has been fairly warm which is typical, but we had a lot of rain about two weeks ago. Should I clean out the nest or leave it alone? The parents haven't made any attempt to remove the eggs or build a new nest yet. They are still very protective of it.

[threeofhardts]

If the last egg was laid on May 26th, it's unlikely they are going to hatch at this point. As long as there are adults hanging around you should leave the eggs alone. Sometimes the parents will remove unhatched eggs themselves. (If you do decide to remove the eggs, wait another week but leave the nest intact.)

Here's a link to a great site with lots of info.

http://www.sialis.org/clean.htm

[Kaysei]

OK I will wait another week & see what happens. I look at that website quite often. Good info!