MALE BB REMOVING MATERIAL

[Dave]

Something weird happened this year. The female took about a week to build the nest, everything went smooth and I checked it. Seems to be really nice with a cup and some feathers on top. I think she is done because she hasn’t really been going in with any material for past two days. This morning the male BB has been going to the other house (the sparrows were in) and looking in and sitting on it a lot all morning. And I saw him go in his house too (which he never did the whole nest building time, he might look it but never went in). But just now I saw him go in and rustle around with stuff then come out the house with a clump of material in his mouth then flew to tree and I’m assuming dropped it. He only did this once from what I saw.

Does anybody know what this might mean?

THanks!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Only thing I can think of – is it the same male? Sometimes you might have two different nests if the boxes (the “other house”) are a good distance away.

[Dave]

The boxes aren’t too far apart actually, maybe 60-70ft. But there is a tree in-between them.
I’m 95% certain it’s the same bird. I read that they may do this, I think it’s rare tho.
Like I said, he only did it once and the female was standing on the top watching him.
I think he had some feathers that the female put in there. A little bit later I saw her fly to the ground and pick up what looked like the stuff in a cigarette filter (I think it was part of a dandelion or something) and take it to the box.

[Julie]

This is so fascinating, Dave! Please keep posting on this behavior. I am curious what the end will be. Our blues are nesting in a neighbor’s yard right now (I think)–I still have to ask them. But I’ve seen the male over there. But he comes here daily to sit on their box and hang out, so I expect them to return for the 2nd nesting. We’ll see. I didn’t know bluebirds put feathers in the nests! I have never seen that.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

It is very unusual that blues put feathers in their nest, but I have had them put maybe one or two in the box – but very rare.

[Dave]

Does the BB female usually stay in the nest at night while she is laying the eggs?

[Julie]

Mine don’t. Not until she’s incubating. Then she’s in there mostly constantly, except for breaks when I’m mowing. She always skedaddles then for a deserved break!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Julie’s right on track – yes, they do take short breaks during incubation period. I believe 10-15 minutes is average for the breaks, not more.

[Author]

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