Results of most recent BB clutch, and a question

[Lanep]

So the last clutch just fledged sometime yesterday. I don’t have a nest cam but watch it with binoculars from our dining room daily.

This BB box was bought from Amazon last year, measures 4 inches by 4.5 inches, and has a 1.5 inch hole with anti-predator extra piece of wood around the hole, basically doubling its depth. So far this box has hosted one clutch of Wrens and at least two clutches of BBs.

We knew BBs were nesting there starting in the late June timeframe, bringing nest material daily. On July 4th we had a tree guy out to cut down a pecan tree within about 50′ of the box. The tree guy thought the box might have to be moved, and without even asking, went over and opened it. My wife almost freaked. Under no circumstances were we going to move that box. But in opening it, he did see there were six eggs. So in that respect it was actually very helpful to know and the birds didn’t seem to mind in the end.

So fast forward to yesterday, after noticing the parents weren’t coming to the box as of this morning and no chicks poking their beaks out, I felt confident they had fledged and this morning we opened the box. Sure enough the box was empty but there was one dead chick inside. It was fairly well developed, and looked to be very close to fledge age. I would say it had only been dead a day or two at the most. My theory was in the competition for food in the final days, that chick just didn’t get enough and starved/dehydrated.

Presumably 5 chicks made it out save for that one. In the final week or so prior to fledge the parents fed from the front door and never went in, so I’m guessing it was a weaker chick and lost the fight for the bugs at each feeding.

So my question is, with that small of an interior (4 x 4.5 inch), would making a box the same in all other respects but adding an additional inch or two to its dimensions possibly give all chicks more “elbow room” and ability to move back and forth to the door? I can’t imagine how tight of a fit it much have been, presuming all 6 eggs hatched.

Anyway, thought I’d throw that out and see what the more experienced birders are doing or if this is just “the way it is”.

Thanks all and have a great BB day.

[tamsea]

It’s hard to know why it died. It just happens sometimes. But yes, it’s better to have a 5×5 floor instead. But, I have some Gilwood boxes that have smaller floors and my bluebirds do great in it. So the floor space probably isn’t really the reasoning behind your dead bluebird baby. There could have been several other things that were the culprit.
I have a few boxes on a walking trail that were made by someone else and his floor is larger that 5×5 and it’s a little hard for the bluebird to build a nest in it because it takes so much effort to fill it up.
As you get into this hobby you might want to start monitoring your nestboxes. Check them when you think they might be building so when the first egg is laid you’ll know. Keep records of when the first egg is laid and also when she’s done laying and then you’ll know when they should hatch and then after that when they should fledge. Opening the box and checking doesn’t discourage the parents or harm the babies as long as you don’t open it after the babies are 12 days old because they could fledge prematurely. You’ll love this part of being a bluebird landlord if you aren’t doing it already. So much fun to see the babies!! And it also keeps you aware of any problems.

Tammy

[tamsea]

I think you can find the larger floor boxes (5×5) now online but you can also make them if you’re handy. I can give you a link if you are. I’m not handy and my husband doesn’t have the tools to make boxes so…I have to buy them.

Tammy

[Lanep]

tamsea wrote:

It’s hard to know why it died. It just happens sometimes. But yes, it’s better to have a 5×5 floor instead. But, I have some Gilwood boxes that have smaller floors and my bluebirds do great in it. So the floor space probably isn’t really the reasoning behind your dead bluebird baby. There could have been several other things that were the culprit.
I have a few boxes on a walking trail that were made by someone else and his floor is larger that 5×5 and it’s a little hard for the bluebird to build a nest in it because it takes so much effort to fill it up.
As you get into this hobby you might want to start monitoring your nestboxes. Check them when you think they might be building so when the first egg is laid you’ll know. Keep records of when the first egg is laid and also when she’s done laying and then you’ll know when they should hatch and then after that when they should fledge. Opening the box and checking doesn’t discourage the parents or harm the babies as long as you don’t open it after the babies are 12 days old because they could fledge prematurely. You’ll love this part of being a bluebird landlord if you aren’t doing it already. So much fun to see the babies!! And it also keeps you aware of any problems.

Thank you, that’s great info!

[Lanep]

tamsea wrote:

I think you can find the larger floor boxes (5×5) now online but you can also make them if you’re handy. I can give you a link if you are. I’m not handy and my husband doesn’t have the tools to make boxes so…I have to buy them.

I recently got the tools I need to do pretty much anything wood working wise, so any tips or suggestions appreciated. I think I’m going to give a go at building one and have it ready for the next spring season, keeping in mind not to go too large (5×5 max). Appreciate all your help.

[Author]

Posts