OP Blue Birds are in Town

OPbirder, I so hope the male returns. It would be sad if something has happened to him. Poor little expectant mum bird.

Yes Dave. That's the date I figured, too. I've taken a peek each day. All 5 eggs are there, and look beautiful. Do you have advice for me?

Well, if he hasn't returned and she hasn't attracted a mate before then, it's hard to predict what will happen. It probably would be better for the chicks if she did it alone. And she is capable, but she will need lots of help. A water source and mealworms nearby so she won't have to be away too far and too long from the nest. After the chicks are about a week old they require food every half hour or so. Hopefully the mealworm shortage will have eased by then. If you have a source, stock up.

If you have HOSP in the area, get a sparrow spooker up if you do not already have one up. They are a threat to her and the eggs/nestlings if they decide they want that nestbox. She is most vunerable now and for the first week after hatchage, when she is brooding.

Another great danger comes if she attracts a mate after the eggs hatch. At best he may not help. But they are not his and he knows it. He will likely want to get on with his own family so he may attack, remove the nestlings or even kill them. It happens a lot more often than we realize, but usually outside our sight.

Wishing you the best of luck. You'll find the 18 days between hatching and fledging will seem forever under these circumstances. Like waiting for Christmas as a child.

Dave

This message was edited Jun 10, 2008 11:30 PM

Ok. I'll get busy preparing. The hosp have very clearly left her alone. They have not been sighted in her area at all in 3 weeks. But I'll get a spooker.

Thanks for your support.

Oh this all sounds sooo stresstful ...for her and her human helpers. Do so hope all turns out well.

Baby #1 hatched just 15 min. ago. He/she is shown pulling her/his head out of the egg. Just seconds later as he/she was draped over the other eggs she/he was gaping.

Mom was very tolerant. I believe she knows I'm helping. I put a bowl of water near the hunting post along w/her worms.

And again!

Congratulations! I have never been able to capture that moment tho I've tried and will keep trying. Now her (and your) work really begins. I'm glad you haven't been bothered by HOSPs. Be watchful tho. They could show up at any time. I'll watch for your updates. This is an exciting day, especially under the conditions.

Dave

I read something about "emergency" bluebird food… putting a board down on the ground to attract bugs to then collect and give to her. Think that will help?

Sounds like a good idea. It's a good way to attract crickets, at least around here. And BBs love crickets. She will have to look for tiny insects to feed them for the first few days and then she can go to larger insects and mealworms. They seem to know when.

Great news. Dad's back?!? No questions asked. He's pitching in. He's guarding, and Mom's carrying away shells. Whew!

Oh, well pet stores sell crickets then too for reptiles. Maybe there's not a run on those.

Oh my God. Sorry. That's Lily who passed away in Feb.

HA! Where was that boy!

Maybe he has been nearby all along and you just haven't seen him. If she has been incubating, his role is guarding and he can do that from a distance. He is capable of finding food and feeding himself, so maybe...

That is great news in any event. She needs a guard when she is in there alone.

Interesting how he knew so quickly that one had hatched.

Daddy Radar.

When I walked outside at about the usual a.m. time, she was on the house, and would flit into the tree, and just chirp and chirp and chirp. I've never heard them so loud and vocal. I did think I heard replies from the wooded area, but didn't see him at that moment. Half an hour later, there he was.

The male is really behaving like the mate, and not someone new. The tag teaming began immediately.

I will check on them at about 3:00. I don't want to cause any more distress.

I bet the kids are excited

Yes. Thanks Marna. The vibes in the animal/bird world are astounding. Dang. I really have to teach now. Bluebird quiz tomorrow for the 4th graders! We talked yesterday about why the male was missing. Most suggestions were based on our studies. One kid said "maybe they got a divorce." Well, I'm glad they reconciled!

Yeah. It's great with the kids. I can show the photos on the large monitor (techy for t.v.). They are really into it.

Talk to you all later.

Nancy

Divorce. Ha.

;))

So happy that all is going well with the BB's! I know you are excited and the kids as well...that divorce comment cracked me up..a sign of the times I guess. Thanks for the update and so glad that Mr. Blue is there to help with everything! Your pics are just great!!

Thanks everybody. I'll post more pics in an hour or so. I wonder how many more have hatched, if any.

My gosh, look what happens when the GD's are here and I can't get on the computer...you have babies hatched and daddy back!!

So glad to he is around after all...what a relief that is! So a big ATTA BOY to you OP and your BB's!!

Thanks Nanny and Rose! There are 3 more hatched at 3:30 p.m. One egg still remaining in the middle. Both parents were there when I checked on them. They had not eaten all the mealworms I put out in the a.m. Hmmm. Too busy perhaps! All the egg shells are gone. They sure are tidy!

Here they are gaping, and flopping! So fuzzy and adorable. Sure was warm today. Hope they are cold in all their nakedness.

And, finally . . .

Wild Birds Unlimited in my area has plenty of mealworms. I bought 1,500 to add to the 1,400 I have already. There are plenty of spiders, crickets, etc. in the field around the nesting box.

Aren't they just the cutest little naked fur balls!!

WOW! That is sooo cool!

The egg that is left, is that the one with the white spot on it?

Actually, nanny, the egg does have a white spot on it. As it turned out, two of them had white stuff on them. Dave clued me in on the fact that someone pooped on them!

They are cute rose! Floppy, naked fur balls!

aaaaahhhhh...okay!

Here are the babes as of this morning about 8:00 a.m. I've decided not to open the nest box again for five days - give the family time to grow. The parents are very tolerant, but I'm sure it's stressful for them, too.

awww...that is so precious OP

Thanks nanny. There are four. The fifth egg had not hatched as of this a.m. I reread Dave's thread from April when one egg had not hatched.

OPbirder, I've been away for a couple of days. What a wonderful event to return home to. Thank you so much. They are very precious little lives.

Things look great, OP. My female is very busy building her third nest and yesterday evening the first fledge from her last clutch came to the feeder. This morning there were several very close by but only two up on the deck and they were leery of me and my cameras. I will update my current BB thread now that things seem to have settled down for you. Again, Congratulations! I know you are pleased.

Dave

Congratulations OP! Their sweet!

Thanks Margaret and Pelle. We'll check out your updates Dave. Three clutches! I wouldn't expect another clutch from this pair - didn't last year. Shorter growing season here.

I feel blessed to be one of God's trusted keepers of the bird world.

What's happening, OPbirder? I keep checking for an update.

Hey Margaret - I supplied them with mealworms daily on the 13, 14 and 15. I vowed not to open the nesting box until tomorrow (really difficult not to peek). When I visited last evening, I watched the female carrying mealworms into the nesting box so it appears they are now on a bigger bug diet!

They grow so quickly, maybe I'll take a look and get some pics this afternoon! Look for an update.