Angry Bluebird

Last year I wrote and complained that for the first time in 20 years of watching my bluebird box I had a male bluebird who made clicking noises and dive-bombed me when I tried to look in the box. Several people suggested that I had a juvenile parent, and he was just anxious. Well, he is a year older and doing the same thing!! I have thought about putting an umbrella around me and looking in -----but, I am fearful that I might frighten the birds away. When I did sneak a look inside the box about a week ago I discovered a nest has been built.--------------and, I really have seen very little activity around it (except when I touch it). Anyone have any thoughts about using the umbrella?

Shirleyd

I would be afraid they would abandon the nest.

See what others (Dave, Rose etc.) think about doing that after the eggs are laid.

Sorry for your situation Shirley!

Hi Shirley! I am not an expert and this is just my third year of hosting but from what I have read and experienced it would take a lot to have them abandon the nest. Last year I actually used an umbrella to shade the box until I could move it several feet so it would get earlier shade. Our box is located on a pole that supports the canopy on DH's shop/barn. I could write a book on all the stuff DH has done making noise and disrupting things in general using loud equip etc and the Blues still stay with that box.

I don't think it would hurt to try the umbrella...but Dave may come along with a different take.

Good luck and keep us updated!

shirleyd, There are definitely experienced bluebirders in this community, who I'm sure can give you some great advice. Myself NOT included, but have you tried checking the nestbox at night?

Shirley:

I know it is worrysome but keep telling yourself it is very unlikely that they would strike you, even if they do dive-bomb you. Most bluebirds are VERY tolerant of humans but some birds are less tolerant than others. My current pair both dive-bomb me, but only when they have eggs or nestlings in the nest, so if yours are worried it may mean there are eggs in the nest.

I have also observed that if one of the adults is a nervous type, the other adult tends to get nervous too. I saw this happen 2 years ago when I got a new female. My male, who for many years previously had been very laid back, suddenly began dive-bombing me too.

Go ahead with the unberella -- or wear a straw hat if it makes you feel more secure and make it a quick visit. Remember, they may come so close you will feel the wind from their wings but they probably will not hit you unless you make a sudden move into their path. But be assured, they WILL NOT abandon the nest because of your visits. I have taken a nest out of the box (with nestlings in it) and set it on the ground while I checked for wasps in the nestbox. They were close by and they definitely were talking to me and as soon as I put the nest back in the box and left they were right there, checking on their chicks.

I know people who actually take the nestlings out of the nest and hold them in their hands and take pictures of them and put them back. I don't do that and don't recommend it but it shows how tolerant the blues are and how bonded they are to that nest box once the first egg has been laid.

Keep us informed.

Dave

Thanks for all the advice. When I get out tomorrow, I will probably give it a try.

Shirleyd

I am happy to report that I sneaked a look in the box yesterday and discovered 2 eggs. And, I did not hear the clicking noise nor was I "dive-bombed" by the father. Several hours later I approached the box again----almost wanting to hear the clicking as I was fearful that something might have happened to the birds------------and then I heard it----and was followed all the way to my house by the angry father. Soooooo, I will wait several days before I try to check again.

Shirleyd

That is great! Thanks for the update Shirley!

Maybe they will become more tolreant of you ove rtime once they realize you mean no harm. Glad you have eggs!

Have never seen them here and would love to.

I do have a question that I'm wondering if someone might have a suggestion for me.

My son has bluebirds when the sparrows will stay out of the bluebird house which in the past two years they haven't. The sparrows always get to the birdhouse before the bluebird return.
He's cleaned them out, almost every day for the past month and sure enough the sparrows mover back in. He called me last week very disheartened because he has seen bluebirds trying to enter the house on numerous occasions and the sparrows chase it away.

Does any one have advice I can give him to keep the sparrows out and let the bluebirds in?

Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions, advice, etc.

We've had the same problems with our houses, except we have the Tree Swallows vs. the House Sparrows. We just received two of these nest boxes and placed them about 6 ft. from the other houses where the sparrows are nesting. So far, the sparrows have left the new houses alone and the swallows are sitting by their new homes.

Nothing is definite, but we think this is our best idea yet.

http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/nestbox/gilstory.htm

http://www.gilbertsonnestbox.com/OrderForm.htm

Thanks will give both web sites to my son.

Thank you all for the information.

Here is my resident bluebird. He just stares at the other birds and they end up flying off. Maybe he has mind control powers.

LOL jlp!

I just love them. I have never saw one but would love to.

I wanted to give an update on my bluebird box. On Monday I managed to look in the box without being threatened-----and, I briefly saw a little fluff of feathers-----and also a blue egg. Soooooo, guess they were in the process of hatching. I was anxious to know when the babies appeared as I wanted to mark on my calendar the possible date of fledging. I want to reserve that day to get out my binoculars------and watch.

Thanks for all your advice,
Shirleyd

That is great Shirley! Be sure to keep us posted.

how soon will they fledge?? mine were already hatched when I found them but Id like to keep any eye out..

typically 16-21 days, might be longer for runts occasionally

thanks.. I first saw thenm sunday the 18th and they werent just hatched . maybe a few days old.. to Ill start watching forthem to fledge on the 30th

There is a great deal of activity at my box----guess they are busy feeding the babies. But, I have noticed a neighbor's cat in the area. I have some protection on the pole (a metal sleeve)------but you never know what a cat can do. Do birds have a sense of smell? The reason I am asking is that in some threads I have learned that the smell of vinegar or ammonia will drive cats away. I was considering putting some of it out around the box.

Thanks,
Shirleyd

Yes they can smell.

Darn-----guess I will just have to hope for the best and hope by barriers work. Thanks for replying.

Shirleyd

My babies fledged on May 4-------which is a little over a week later than last year's first nesting. left. Also, I noticed in my garden book that a new nest appeared almost 3 weeks exactly after they left last year. Will keep you updated--

Shirleyd

Hi---I have recently returned from a trip to the Mississippi gulf coast and want to report on something unusual that I saw. At a friend's home the blue bird box had 2 blue eggs and 3 speckled eggs. We took a picture, but it is in my email (Outlook), and I don't know how to attach it to this. Also, the blue birds were tending the nest as usual. Can anyone explain the unusual eggs?

Shirleyd

They were most likely Cowbird eggs. You can see a pic and read about this at http://www.sialis.org/cowbirds.htm .

ooo. she needs to remove those!

Yesterday I found 5 new babies in my blue bird box. This is their second nesting this year. For the past 2 years I have had 3 nestings a year in this box.

Shirleyd
Zone 7b

Congratulations Shirley!!

Not to be argumentative but I have long heard and personally believe that eastern bluebirds cannot smell, or at least they can't smell very well. I have fed them dead meal worms that smelled so badly they gagged me and they ate them like they were fresh.

This short piece from "Bluebirds Fly!", the California Bluebird Recovery Program Newsletter, Vol 15, No. 2, Spring 2009, seems to support that belief. The mention of "Bluebird" at the end of the article refers to the quarterly bulletin of the North American Bluebird Society. Scott Gillihan is the editor.

CAN BLUEBIRDS SMELL?
Researchers wanted to tell if
Eastern Bluebirds could detect
odors of two common
predators, rat snakes and
deer mice. They placed the
predators in a cage with paper,
then cut the paper into
small pieces and placed the
pieces in 21 nest boxes, then
placed unscented pieces in
21 other boxes.
The bluebirds showed no
preference for boxes with
unscented paper over those
with paper scented with the
two predators.
Their conclusion was that;
1. Either bluebirds have an
undeveloped sense of smell
for predators, or
2. The bluebirds can smell
the predators, but have not
learned the dangers the
predators pose. One way to
answer these questions
would be to identify boxes
where the predators invaded
and see if the bluebirds
would avoid boxes with the
scent of the invading predator.
R.D. Godard, B.B. Bowers,
and C.M. Wilson. 2007. Eastern
bluebirds, Sialia Sialis do
not avoid Nest Boxes with
Chemical Cues from Two
Common Nest Predators. Journal
of Avian biology 38:128-
131.
Reviewed by Scott Gillihan
in Bluebird, Spring 2009

Thanks Dave. I must have read that somewhere because I wouldn't know that on my own.

I am happy to report that my second nesting of bluebirds this year fledged yesterday. I have cleaned out the box------and anxiously hoping for a 3rd nesting!

Shirleyd
Starkville, Mississippi

Congratulations Shirley!!!

Yes, congratulations!

My four second nesters fledged on Sunday (three of them while I was at church). As soon as the last one cleared out, the house sparrows were on the box as if to claim it, so both bluebird parents were there most of the afternoon, defending it when they should have been in the deep woods with their youngin's. So I sealed the box so they wouldn't have to worry about it, thinking she wouldn't start another nest for a week or so. On Tuesday, just 2 days after the previous clutch had fledged, she started building in the Gilbertson PVC nest box just outside the kitchen window. And today she laid the first egg! I have never seen that quick a turnaround. This means she is nesting just 3 feet outside the window.

Oh how I love those closeups.

This message was edited Jun 25, 2010 7:45 PM

Congratulations Dave! Looking forward to seeing the fledges.

And now, a little over a week since the 2nd group left, I have a 3rd nest built. This male bluebird is the one who will not let me look in the box----------or, at least, threatens to "dive bomb" me when I start to open it. Only when I find him not in the neighborhood can I get a look inside. Anyhow, I am over joyed! This is the second summer straight that I have had 3 nestings.

Shirleyd
Zone 7b

Great news Shirley! I am happy for you.

Dave

I have had a tragedy with my 3rd nesting of the year. Sunday morning I found the nest box hanging at a strange angle from the post. Everything had spilled out------and, I found on the ground one tiny, tiny bird (about a week old)still alive among some straw. Carefully, I put it back in the box and straightened it. And, I really didn't have much hope for anything developing---but, the next day the tiny bird was gone---------and, the next day the small amount of straw that I gathered up was gone. Anyone got an idea??? A snake could not get in since I have deer netting at the bottom of the pole-----------and have a metal sleeve that I feel sure stopped a raccoon. Originally I felt that a deer might have brushed against the box (which was not real firm) and knocked it off--------but, the later developments I cannot figure!

First off, I am very sorry to hear of this loss, Shirley. I know how hurt and disappointed you must feel..

I think you can rule out snake in either instance. They rarely disturb the straw and would not spill anything. My first suspicion would be a cat or a raccoon. But I will think about it and maybe come up with a different idea. But regardless, I am very sorry to hear this.

Dave

I truly don't believe a cat or raccoon could get around the metal sleeve that I have. As I said, I am inclined to think that since it was not up as tightly as it should be, I feel that a deer might have brushed against it and knocked it over. But, that doesn't explain what happened to the little bird that I put back in. I wonder if it died (and feel sure it did) if the parents put it out????? And the little bit of straw I put back in was gone???????