Heartbreaking situation

[BZ–W Ctrl MO]

The BB got ahead of me this year, and before I realized it, they had nested and laid 5 eggs in one of my more remote boxes. So I hurried and put the wren guard up. After the guard was installed I thought I would take another peek at the eggs. I was surprised to see that the momma bird was still sitting on the eggs, even though I had rattled the box some while installing the guard. I closed the door and moved away, continuing to watch the box and the male BB sitting on a wire above. Within a half minute or so, momma flew out of the box and the male immediately flew in to check, and then flew back out. I assumed that everything would be ok, since the male had flown in past the wren guard without hesitation. Yesterday I checked the box and the eggs were cold. I’m almost certain that they have abandoned the nest. I’m sick. I guess the female was traumatized by the guard installation and was afraid to go back in.
My question now is: do I remove the eggs only or both eggs and nest? Any thoughts on this entire situation would be appreciated.

BZ–W Ctrl MO

[dogsandbirds]

Please don’t be so quick to assume these eggs are abandoned. Eggs can feel cool to the touch and it’s pretty hard to judge their temp by touching them. A good strategy would be to mark the eggs with a sharpie. That way you can know if the eggs are being turned.

Birds have an extremely strong attachment to their eggs and don’t readily abandon them. She flew out and knows there is a way back in. I would definitely mark the eggs and see what happens.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Sassy]

Hi BZ:
I hope by now you have seen Mama back on the eggs. I am keeping good thoughts for a happy report the next time you write.
Connie (PA)

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

BZ – I am also from Central Mo – and know we have had some cool nights, although the daytime temps have been pretty good. I was worried about the cool temps on the eggs, but was reassured here they should be okay as long as mama is incubating them & not below freezing. Gin is right on about not being too quick to assume mama has abandoned her eggs. I had forgotten to but up my spooker and wren guard until my eggs were about 5 days old and was worried about her accepting them. I did put them on one day apart to get her used to one first. She was a little reluctant at first about the wren guard, flying around and around it. But then papa went in and she finally did go in, which was a relief. I have used the dot on the eggs several times (put a dot on the top of each egg) and it does work. If the dot changes direction then you know they are being turned by the parents and therefore probably viable. Good luck!

[BZ–W Ctrl MO]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I’ll mark them this AM. I discovered 2 eggs in another box yesterday and am putting up the wren guard also this AM. I’m going to watch this one closely to make sure they go in. If so, spooker goes up tomorrow.

BZ

[dogsandbirds]

BZ, when a female “turns” the eggs, she actually turns them OVER and will do this several times a day. You might not see your marks tomorrow or you might see a couple of them. Don’t worry if you see as many as 4 out of 5. That just means she is doing her job.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Author]

Posts