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The bluebird pair’s second clutch was born a few days ago, but I’m not sure they’re alive. I do see the parents going in and out of the nest box occasionally, but I haven’t seen them bring food or remove fecal matter. I don’t watch the box for long periods of time, though, although I did see them doing these things frequently after the babies from the first nest were born.
I just looked in the box, and there are babies. I took pictures. I kept the nest box open for a short time trying to see them. I saw the babies but didn’t see any movement. I couldn’t see them clearly, because the sun was in my eyes. I heard the parents, but they weren’t dive bombing me like I thought they would be.
If the babies were alive, wouldn’t they have had their mouths open and been begging for food? I don’t know what to think.
Carol
East TennesseeCarol, don’t be afraid to touch them or even pick them up. Unless they just died you’d probably know because their color would be off. But it’s not sounding good if the parents aren’t feeding them. The heat might be keeping them still right now. Maybe they need a heat guard? Open that box and pick up one or at least move out with your finger. Let us know.
Tammy
Thank you Tammy. I watched a little bit after I read your reply, and the female looks in the box and goes in and out. Maybe I’m just missing that they’re bringing food. I have a Ring camera on my back deck, and I looked at it to see if the bluebirds were dive bombing me when I looked in the box. I had heard them but didn’t realize they were dive bombing me until I looked at the camera footage. Now I’m thinking the babies are probably alive. It doesn’t seem like they would dive bomb me if their babies were dead.
I will put some mealworms out in the morning and sit on my porch for a while and watch. If I don’t see the parents taking them to the babies I will open the box again and touch the babies to see if they move. I feed dried mealworms but stop when the babies are born. I have read that dried mealworms aren’t good for babies because they don’t have any water. I will put some out in the morning though so that I can observe more closely. I really hope they’re alive. Thank you for your advice.
Carol
East TennesseeEast Tennessee Carol – those babies are probably “playing dead” – a thing that is very common when we open the boxes to check on them. The first time this happened to me (a long, long time ago) I posted on this forum “My babies are dead, my babies are dead”. I was informed about this “playing dead” act and now know. They know we are not parents bringing food and are fearful it is someone to hurt them. BUT, this is not always the case, especially with this heat, but I’d bet that they are okay – hope so. Keep us informed.
I sat on my porch for about an hour this morning from about 9:00 – 10:00. I did see them feeding the babies and removing fecal sacs from the nest box. They weren’t going in and out a lot, though, which is different than I’ve observed with past nestlings. I’m still confused but feel much better knowing the babies are alive.
Carol
East TennesseeIf they are still young you might not have seen the fecal sacs because they eat them. Always seems like there is a lot less activity early on. Probably because they are so small and don’t need as much food to survive, especially in warmer conditions.
As they get older and their neck muscles strengthen they will be able to extend, with open beaks, for food at the slightest disturbance to the nestbox. They will be expecting one of the parents with food.
David
Stafford, VAIf they are still young you might not have seen the fecal sacs because they eat them. Always seems like there is a lot less activity early on. Probably because they are so small and don’t need as much food to survive, especially in warmer conditions.
Thank you Dave. I did see them remove fecal sacs a couple of times today. I think they are around five days old now, so still quite young.
Carol
East TennesseeAs they get older and their neck muscles strengthen they will be able to extend, with open beaks, for food at the slightest disturbance to the nestbox. They will be expecting one of the parents with food.
Thank you David.
Carol
East Tennessee
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