Mama blue not incubating maybe?

Home Forums Bluebird Chatter Mama blue not incubating maybe?

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #26593
    Carol – Mid-Mo.
    Participant

      Well, I’ve had two good nests with a total of 8 blues fledged – but mama now has 5 new eggs in a different nestbox and I’m a little worried that she is not incubating them (last egg was June 19). I saw her sitting on the nest one time (she didn’t move when I looked in) and one time she came out of the box when I whistled, but lately nothing. I have a heat shield on the box which usually works great and all the proper guards up. Only thing I can think of is the terrible heat we’ve had the last couple of days and she just doesn’t need to sit on them????? Guess main question is this: do they usually not need to incubate as much when it is real hot? I decided today to mark a one egg with a dot and then see in a day or so if the egg has been turned, meaning she is incubating them – they rotate them I believe every day??
      This ole’ gal needs some ideas/reassurance . . . .

      #26612
      Skyonitsback
      Participant

        Carol, you have much more experience that I have since you can watch them from house. So I trust your instincts of concern. Having said that, it seems to me that if it’s been really hot that would explain it … I think mama bluebird is being smart.
        It’s funny to read how hot it’s been where you are … we’ve had a spell of quite cool and dry weather (Parts of Massachusetts are in drought.)

        #26613
        Carol – Mid-Mo.
        Participant

          Well, after my panic attack I finally actually watched papa and mama at the nestbox – he went on top of the box and she went inside and stayed. Several hours later I actually caught them again in early evening when he went to box and she came out. It was somewhat cooler today (just in lower 90’s) so maybe the heat does have a bearing.
          P.S. yes, being able to watch them from my kitchen window is great. Thanks for your thought about mama being smart – she really was.

          #26638

          Carol, I have had the same experience here during my pairs first sitting. We had o week of 90+ and I saw them outside the nest on the shepherd hooks or in the shade in the trees for long stretches. I never stayed around long enough to see if they went in or not. I suspect now that they were probably like your birds and stayed away while the temps were in the upper 80’s and 90’s.

          David
          Stafford, VA

        Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.