Eastern Bluebird eggs again this year!!

Tales of Daddy Blue - 2009
Looks like the new mate took nicely to the old diggs. Wonder if she'll lay 6 eggs like the old Momma did last year, bless her heart.
We've got 3 so far!!
Daddy feeds her and they both come after mealworms together bout 18 ft from me.

hmm...last years first batch opened teir eyes on my birthday ( 5/9)!!
Looks like another day to praise God for!!

Sheri

Edited for "correct scientific name" Sialia sialis - Eastern Bluebird

This message was edited Apr 22, 2009 9:47 PM

Hi Gang,
Just a hint. When listing or discussing a specific crittur (plant or animal) it is generally a good idea to identify it precisely. As in the case of bluebirds, data about one species can be common to all but is not necessarily the case. If you really want to be professional it is not a bad idea to list the Latin nomenclature too. This way there is little or no ambiguity nor confusion. For example, as in the case of our bluebird pals, there are three distinct species of these little thrushes: the eastern bluebird ( Sialia sialis); the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) and finally, the western bluebird (Sialia mexicana). Note that the genera are always listed with the first letter in upper case while the next listed names are known as the trivial names and these are rendered entirely in lower case script. It is the sum of these two designations which name the species. Another bit of taxonomic protocol; where the program you are using will allow it, both these names are either italicized or underlined. The additional use of the Latin/Greek nomenclature is precise to a given specimen whereas a single individual can have a confusing array of common names which vary from area to area. I trust that you find this helpful?

A man as smart as you should be able to figure out which species BirdiBlue has from her address. :)

Hi Zoom, Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your comments.

We do ask that all people posting put the Full common name of the birds in their posts. This can be easily fixed.

Pelle

BTW Congratulations Birdie!

Congrats Birdie!! We will be following along.

I think the majority of us here do this for fun and relaxation. Just people watching out their windows at what is in the backyard. Start having to use the Latin names and I will be outta here. I have joined so many places but don' go back back because they are so still and formal.

Keep up the good work Birdie!

I wonder what is the latin word for smart ass is?

smartus assius

Marna, I just knew I could count on you.

Incidentally, I took the Gilbertson PVC box down yesterday. I waited 8 extra days and nothing hatched. I hope they nest in the slotted opening box this time. I moved the nest cam there but this morning it is raining here and the camera is not working. Problems, problems, problems.

This message was edited Apr 20, 2009 10:43 AM

Pardon me Mrs Ed, but that should be Smartus assius

No, pardon ME, I question my abilities…

Too bad on the first clutch Dave. I take it the titmice did not take up residence in the slot box?

Congrats Sheri! Hope it all goes well!

Congrats Birdie...love that pic with the beautiful eggs! Best of luck with the new family of Blues!!

Dave...so sorry about the first nest. I had to do the same thing last year and I know how much it hurts.

That's a great response, Margaret. Wish I could still think that quickly.

Marna, the titmice were willing, I think. But the bluebirds would not let them. I guess they needed it as a backup. They whole thing yesterday was rather sad, especially watching the blues flying around, looking for the PVC box after I removed it. From time to time they would look into the window as if asking me to put it back. Of course, I photographed the whole thing. Got some great in-flight shots of Papa. Maybe I'll post a few on a new thread.

Dave

Thanks Rose. I know you do understand.

This message was edited Apr 20, 2009 11:23 AM

Oh how sad Dave!! I have missed this problem that you are experiencing, as this is the first I've read of your troubles. Last year I did have a Carolina Wren (I think) remove one of the eggs from the 2nd clutch & just drop it about 4 ft from the nest box.
We love our Eastern Bluebirds (Sialis sialis) and most of us just call em Bluebirds...heck we're on the eastern coast mostly, so what else could we be having in our yards.
Just for fun, here is a picture from last years 6 egg clutch. I think it was very lucky of me to get the 1st one hatched, #2 after just kicking off its shell, & # 3 chipping away with the egg tooth all in 1 shot!......yes it is an oldie, but a goodie and worthy (I tought) of a repost........sure hope noone takes offense at a 1 yr old picture ^_^

WingWaves to ya,
BirdieBlue ^_^

What a great pic, BirdieBlue!

Thanks Juney...I wish I knew how to submit to Birds & Blooms....I know it is probably a bit of a special one, an they just might use it.

They have a site online, maybe you could try there.

[quote]I wonder what is the latin word for smart ass is? [quote]
Posterior intelligentia?

;-)

Thanks Resin! I love it!!

And Birdie, that is an AMAZING capture! One of the best I've ever seen. I don't recall it from last year.

Dave

This message was edited Apr 20, 2009 9:25 PM

Too funny ^_^

Oh we are all bad......

Here's egg #5, today!

What do one have to do to get such birds to nest in one's back yard. Is it luck?

Envious

Al

Wow very nice Birdie!

FIVE! wow

Daddy Blue must be a really good father , Macho bird!!. Last year's 1st clutch had 6 eggs (picture above f the 1st 3 hatching)......I wonder if there will be another in there tomorrow morning??
...................Updates to continue!!...now my prayers are always that no snakes get "wind" of this precious "cargo"....as happened 2 yrs ago

http://www.virginiabluebirds.org/pages/new_box_grd.html
This link shows some ways to guard against that.

How does/did the snake get up to the nest box?

This message was edited Apr 22, 2009 7:55 AM

He can easily climb a pole or a post if there is no baffle. And a snake that big can reach up nearly 2 feet from asolid surface.

This message was edited Apr 22, 2009 8:17 AM

but this box is on the side of the house, so is going to need a different type of baffle. any engineers in the crowd??

Best to move the nest box.

I will just continue to pray that all goes well. 2 successful broods last year and Daddy likes the placement of this box. I will be sure all is away from near this corner od the house and off of the deck (tere is no railing under the box).....I have even thought of super glueing some chicken wire and bending it away and down with the sharp ends towards the ground.
5th egg on the 21st and no new ones so the hatch date should be....when?? 10 days is it, from the last egg??
OMGosh!! I looked in the nest box right after I posted this and shure enough!! 6 eggs!! Don't have a picture yet, but there is 1 right in the center of the 5 in a circle! How about that! 6 eggs for the 2nd year in a row! Go Bluebirds...rah, rah, rah!!!

This message was edited Apr 22, 2009 4:25 PM

My gosh!!! :)

13 days from when the last one was laid. Then 18 days from hatch to fledge.

Thanks Dave!
So May 5th is the date! I remember last years 1st batch opened eyes on May 9th.
You are so helpful, we all appreciate you sharing your pictures, experience & knowledge.

Hello again to all of you who are not mean spirited nor threatened by new knowledge.
My point was to suggest politely that precise identification has a place in forums such as this one since these items are distributed around the world. And yes, the bluebird group may be an exception since geography is a great indicator of which species is the topic. This is not always the case. Common names are not universal whereas taxonomic nomenclature is.
As for the posting of crude remarks, there are, and always have been, a subset of folks who would rather resort to name calling and other boorish behavior than to accept something new; these are the insecure. There is also a subset who would rather cultivate ignorance than to learn a new concept. These are the narrow minded and as such are probably related to the former subset. Neither of these is of any consequence to the advancement of cultures. So keep this in mind when you are confronted by these. The rest of us can get along fine without their sophomoric and whimpering antics.
To you grand folks of good will, thanks for your forbearance. I just thought that it was time for a little "time out" and call for polite civility.
My best to all,
The zooman,
Neal

Ho..hum.....

Ah yes, with our playfulness we probably got carried away. I can never resist a good pun or a fake latin name. However, we do use common names here and will continue to do so unless a need arises for us to do otherwise. And I suppose that is just the way it is…

Oh my.....I didn't realize this was supposed to be a college level education thread...
I posted about the Eastern Bluebird that is nesting on My porch......and that is Exactly what most people who checked in on here wanted to know and see...NOT any uppity education class that pointed out how uninformed or unscientific I or we were.
Perhaps some have a need to specifically point out and create an issue of the fact that they are "superior" in some ways.
This thread about the birds nesting on my porch is not the place and thank you for not polluting it with anymore posts like this.
We are just a fun loving and bird loving bunch who are very familiar with our Eastern Bluebirds.......were we wanting to attain your oblivious superior level of knowledge, we would certainly go elsewhere for such info.
Wing waves to ya (most of you know what that means),
BirdieBlue
Sheri ^_^
..........it really saddens me that my chipper, happy little thread has now been tainted with all this uppity nonsence........perhaps I'll start another for the continuing saga and just pray that no-one decides to spoil the joy & make it into a scientific lecture opportunity..... :-(