Angry Bluebirds

After 20 years of watching bluebirds and checking their nest while they are caring for eggs and for their babies, I am having a problem. I have not checked the box in a couple of days------and, as I went out today to look into it the bluebirds began diving at me------like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. What is going on? I have not been able to get close to the box--(the last time that I looked there were 4 eggs in it.

Shirleyd
Zone 7b

Hi Shirley, I'm not sure but maybe Dave or Resin would know. Hope you get an answer soon. I was under the impression that BB's didn't mind being monitored very much.

Presumably this pair are a bit more interested in home security! Might be best to give them the space they want.

Resin

Duplicate

This message was edited Apr 7, 2009 4:38 PM

Well, I know who not to ask to help me oil goose eggs. I have a pair looking like they will nest around one of the ponds. I asked my wife the other day if she wanted to oil the eggs or fend off the geese while I do. She replied "Neither!" :)

I think oiling goose eggs is a terrible thing to do. That has been done around here and I did not see any Canadian Geese this winter.

As you well know, most bluebirds are remarkably tolerant of human intrusions but clearly there are a few that are more nervous about it. I think these must be new nesters and hopefully they too will grow more tolerant as they get used to you and they learn that you are not going do harm.

This is the fifth year my Papa has nested in my backyard (12 nestings and counting), and I have never had a problem with him, even though I have checked the nest box every day, sometimes standing there as long as 15 minutes, taking pictures of the eggs or the nestlings.

My present female is the third mate he has had in this time. The first two were very tolerant and never dive-bombed me once. Then, last July, the current female arrived, challenged, fought with and drove off Papa's mate, who left a nest with 5 eggs in it. This new female then built her own nest and raised 3 youngsters. She dived bombed me every time I went out to check the nest box, whether it contained eggs or hatchlings; once or twice she actually touched my hair and many other times she came so close that I could feel the wind from her wings. I kept going out there every day nonetheless, partially because at the time I was angry with the little home wrecker for what she had done. I must say after a few days her attacks grew less aggressive. More often she would make a token pass, then fly to a nearby perch and glare at me, often muttering things in bird talk, the meaning of which I clearly understood. But Papa never joined her in these attacks.

She has been here with Papa all winter and hopfully has gotten used to my being around. She currently has a nest with 5 eggs in it that are due to hatch come Sunday or Monday. Unfortunately, I have not checked this nest because it is more difficult with the PVC style box she is nesting in and because I didn't think it was necessary since I have the nest cam installed and can check on her and her eggs several times a day that way.

My advice is to keep checking, Move slowly but decisively. Make your visits brief. And wear a hat.

And please keep us posted.

Dave

Dave-----thanks so much for your advice and reassurance. I will go out today----and move slowly as you suggested. This is just a shock to me after 20 years of monitoring the box!

Shirleyd

Would you believe-----with the 2nd nesting the same thing is happening! The male blue bird acts like it wants to attack me-----------and, I have noticed that it makes a clicking noise-------like one of those gadgets that imitate a cricket. Has anyone else ever heard that? I hear the clicking before I even see the male! In 20 years of monitoring this box this situation has never happened. With the help of a friend to divert the bird I managed to look in the box and see 5 eggs. Would love to hear from others on this matter.

Shirleyd

Twenty years - wow! You must be a pro. I'm a newbey shirleyd, and this is my third year of monitoring bluebirds. The first year pair did fly overs when I visited, and successfully raised 4 kiddos. The pair from last year was whimpy. Last year's 5 babies were killed just prior to fledging by house sparrows. The parents did not defend the nest box. I did observe this year's parents chanse a sparrow clear across a meadow towards the woods. Seems like bluebirds have various personalities, just like us. I would respect their requests.

My pair are extremely tolerant. They sit on a branch just a few feet above my head and silently watch me on the ladder. I move slowly and do not turn and look at them too much......I'm always afraid that I'm going to topple the ladder! And, I always have the mealworm cup with me to thank them for their patience!

Sacarv - You sound like me with the balancing act! I was trying to screw a sparrow spooker onto a standing box this afternoon without knocking the nesting box over. It was very windy and I was swaying all over the place. Had to give up. Maybe it'll be calmer tomorrow.

OP....I use an old step ladder because the pole that the box is mounted to is slim and I am afraid to prop up a flat ladder. I'm 5'3" and afraid of heights so it is a little white knuckle to have to go as high up on the ladder as I have to to see into the box well. My kids joke that the these birds must be important if I am willing to do this on a regular basis!

Maybe I need to go Dave's route and get a nest cam going!!! :-)

Yeah. I think about applying for grants all winter long, and spring comes and . . . still no nest cam. Maybe next year.

shirleyd, I am sorry to hear you are still having to deal with their diving.

As for the clicking, I have heard it from from my blues and also from several other species of birds. I know cardinals do it a lot and I seem to recall hearing mockingbirds clicking too. I think it is a warning they make to each other, especially when they are upset.

A few years ago I watched a juvenile from an earlier nesting coax two chicks to fledge while both parents were away, securing babies that had fledged first. When the parents returned to the nestbox and found it empty, they were frantic - flying about and doing lots of clicking. The female especially kept it up until she discovered the fledges were OK. I can't recall hearing it from the bluebirds any other time.

Hang in there. Keep checking on them. I don't think they would actually hit you. It's not in their nature.

Dave

2ndCousinDave----thanks for consolation. I was afraid that I had a bluebird that is paranoid---------but glad to know that someone else has heard that noise. To tell the truth I am just thrilled to have them------------and, they have only missed one year in the 23 that I have had this box up. I am not close enough or perceptive enough to know the difference in the birds (only see the blue) to know when I have a new family appear.

Shirleyd
Zone 7b
Starkville, Mississippi