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My second brood of this season fledged yesterday morning (Friday)! I was never able to get a definite count, as the babies were always huddled so closely together, but at last check I believe there were at least 4, and hopefully all five. Mom and Pop have been gathering worms regularly and flying into a large oak tree near my house, so I assume that is where the family is residing for the moment. This makes 9 or possibly 10 new EABB that I have helped bring into the world this year, and that makes me very happy! This is my third year of trying to be a serious BB landlord, and my 4th fledging total. Thanks for all of the good advice that my fellow forum members have offered.
BZ
Congrats on your 2nd successful fledging! Yes, it really does make us happy when this happens. My first 6 years I had 3 nestings almost always each year. The past 3 seasons I have had a different papa (only have had 2 papas in all these years) with about 3 or 4 different females, and they have usually had only 2 nestings. This year the 1st nest of 5 eggs were non-viable (mama disappeared/got killed), the 2nd nest fledged 5 successfully, the 3rd nest mama was incubating 4 eggs & a house wren got the eggs just about 4 or 5 days ago, and they have built another nest. It is getting kind of late in the season, but sure hope this one is successful, as they have worked real hard this year. Sure glad to have another Missourian here!
Don’t forget me. I’m in SW MO, so that makes 3 of us. :). With my 3 boxes up this year I didn’t have any BB nests. I had a pair of HOSP attempt to build in two of my boxes. I was able eradicate that problem but nothing else went for them. A little saddening. On the positive side I have daily BB visitors to my yard and birdbath which is fun to watch. Just in the last two days I have a juvenile BB hanging around my birdbath. It will actually camp out for a lot longer then it’s parents. How often does a Juvenile stay in the area of
It’s parents? Mean will this possible BB stay close enough to nest in my boxes next year. Just curious. ThanksBob, there are actually 4 of us – Pami is also here. Sorry you did not have any BB nests this year – my summary is in above post. I believe you have a great chance for next year with the blues since you are seeing them now – just need to have up boxes up early and proper location, etc. It varies on how long juveniles stay with parents, but most of the time they are chased off when a new brood is about to hatch or before. My last group always stay with their parents at my place all winter – They love my worms and peanut butter suet in later winter. Good luck!
Carol, you and other folks have mentioned having the “same pair” over several seasons. How can you tell? Although I see some different coloring in the females, the males all look alike to me. What do you look for?
BZ
BZ, I can tell because of their habits – where they perch, how they come to eat when I whistle for them, and because I have never been WITHOUT a male, ever. My current male I truly believe to be a son of my first male, simply because his habits were VERY similar and he has always been here, but he does have a few different habits from the previous. Coloring & size also can be telltale, but they do change colors somewhat, especially when they molt in the fall. Of course, I cannot say with 100% accuracy that they are the same, but I would say 99.9%. I have had about 4 or 5 different females – one was killed by a cat, 2 just disappeared while incubating probably died or got killed, etc. I knew the females were gone when they did not show up with the male for several days. My male had another female within a few days after she disappeared this April. Just thought of another thing for me – I have a cage feeder and a new bluebird would not come as readily to one of those – they need time to get accustomed to those, and my males have never refused to go inside the cage feeder – another good reason I believe my current male to be a descendant from my first male of 2008, 9 seasons ago. Make any sense?
Love the winter pic, Carol! Still can’t get my bluebirds to use cage feeder. Tried everything I know with some of your recommendations. My pair have had 11 fledge this year & are in the beginnings of 3rd brood. Just not sure what to expect on any nesting, but particularly this one with the heat.
Nicole
Nicole, is your cage feeder one that has 1 1/2″ squares of wire around or is it one that is only open on both ends? The later one is not as acceptable by the birds as the round ones with square openings. Good luck on your 3rd nesting!
Hi Carol- It’s the round wire one recommended by bluebird nut cafe. I’ll try again after this nesting.
Nicole
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