bbs keep fledglings away

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  • #4946
    dlibby
    Participant

      Hello everyone, Have a question. My bluebirds are totally different from everything i’ve read and heard on this site. My bb parents never let the fledglings anywhere near the meal worm feeder. I’ve seen several occasions where the fledglings have tried to come up to the feeders and the parents attack them and drive them back up in the trees.the babies get upset and hang on the side of my 6 ft fence panels and then finally just go back to the trees. I see them all the time now as they circle my house and a house on both sides of the property. so They seem to be staying where they were born and i’ve watched them go to the ground from trees and power lines getting bugs on there own. so there doing great on there own now but why won’t these parents let them get the mealworms. Mother is sitting on new eggs now and it seems to be dad chasing them off now. They did this last year also but left the territory so i didn’t think much of it. I thought they would bring them to feed at the feeder but this isn’t the case here. Anyone seen this before?

      #4950
      Carol – Mid-Mo.
      Participant

        A bit unusual – did they not let them come to the feeder prior to the new nest/eggs? I would imagine it amounts to food supply/territory. They have taught the babies well and are making it on their own and now have new babies to think of. Other thing could be these are different babies (or are they juveniles) than their own??? I may have the same situation on my hands, as my current fledglings are just 7 days out of box and I see parents bringing them worms in the trees, BUT parents have a new nest completed, but no eggs yet. I don’t think I have ever had a new nest so soon after fledging. The babies have not come to the feeder yet, but they are close by in the trees so I expect them any time now. But you never know – as I say “These birds do not read the book of rules!”

        #4956
        Lisa
        Participant

          My dad took over immediately. He has been awesome. I think I would cry if I saw him chase one of the fledgelings from the feeder.
          And this was the dad who took FOREVER to find a mate! he spent hours on top of that house with a beak full of worms before getting any attention! And I’m partial but I think he is extremely good looking LOL.
          I think my fledgelings are all fairly independent now. They come to the feeder and hunt on their own. New nest is 4-5 days old hatchlings.

          #5030
          dogsandbirds
          Moderator

            These fledglings are well able to feed themselves and the adults are just protecting their favorite food source. If these juvies are around a couple of weeks after this current clutch fledges, I think they will be allowed access to the worms.

            Gin
            Atlanta, GA

            #5044
            dlibby
            Participant

              As of last night the fledglings are still not allowed any where near the mealworm feeder. So strange when I look around I see no bluebirds in sight anywhere and last night one of the babies flew close to the mealworm feeder and out of nowhere comes the Dad dive bombing the little one and drives it away again. It’s like where did he come from is he just sitting up there somewhere guarding this from everyone. Mom is do to hatch the newbies around the 28th 29th this week so I’m expecting it to get busy but I’ve read that sometimes the fledglings will help feed the new brood but The way things are here I don’t see that happening.

              #5071
              dogsandbirds
              Moderator

                One of the biggest rewards in this is to see the juvies help feed the younger sibs. Some people never get to see that and others seem to see it every year. We’ll have to wait and see what these adults allow but I agree with you. It’s not looking at all likely this time.

                Gin
                Atlanta, GA

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