Bird Watching: Search for a new Papa, 1 by 2dCousinDave

2dCousinDave wrote:
In case you didn't see it in OP Birder's thread, I lost my male bluebird today. It was trapped in an empty nestbox and killed by a house sparrow (HOSP). That happened about 8:30 this morning. I am thinking of posting pictures of his body on my website. They are pretty graphic but they show what happens when a bluebird and a male HOSP tangle. Anyone who thinks these two species can live in harmony should see them. When I removed Papa's body, the floor of the nestbox was litteraly covered with small feathers, all blue. I didn't see a single HOSP feather and when I took pictures of the HOSP on the nestbox, he looked unruffled and he still had a small blue feather in his beak. Anyone who wants to see these pictures should send me a D-mail and I'll give you a link.


Things have been happening fast. Mama remains on the nest, incubating her five eggs. This afternoon we had a severe thunderstorm. When it was winding down, I saw a male bluebird in the back yard. I have NEVER seen a male bluebird in the yard in all the years while Papa was alive. The word sure got around quickly. This bluebird was on the same box Papa died in. I still had the VanErt trap in that box so I ran down and removed it. When he went inside he came out with one of Papa's feathers in his beak. I think he must have showed it to Mama because right after that, she also went inside the box. But then she flew back to her nest. For at least 2 hours before dark he sat on the fence and serenaded Mama. I have never heard such singing and wing-waving. But I was most amazed that all this was happening just 7 hours after Papa was killed.

Now I am wondering if Mama will accept him and if so, whether he will insist on her abandoning her eggs, or whether he will attract a different mate and then chase Mama out of HIS territory. There are many possibilities and while I am still saddened at the loss of my friend of 5 years, I am fascinated by bluebird behavior and very curious as to how this will all play out.

I took many, many pictures. Here are a few. This first one is of Papa and was taken yesterday.

Dave