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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?
Bob, 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!
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!
Thanks, Cher – forgive me I am trying again.
I DID IT! Do you all see that egg in the upper right corner – like seeing a fetus – really made me sick. I won’t post any more pics of this, but at least I finally got it. I have posted other pics but always got small ones. On the upside & downside note for this pair, they have built a new nest in the past 2-3 days, no egg yet. BUT it is in the box where this stupid wren had been claiming while the blues were in the box across the yard. So, I’m afraid the same thing will happen. All I can do is try to protect it with wren guard and my evil eye and fast legs to chase it off! And at 70+ years of age, mind you, this would not be easy!Deb has a good idea, Scott, about doing this on a weekend, early morning or after you are home from work. About an hour before dark is good time to catch them, I find – however, early morning is probably better, from daybreak to about 1-2 hours after. When/if you do catch a bird, Deb’s instructions are on target. If you use a clear plastic bag or WalMart sack (or white net laundry bag) when the bird flies up into the bag and you secure it with your hand around the bag, you can actually see what it is easily. I have learned to do this by myself, although to start with it is easier with 2 people. If I don’t have clear bag I just use regular plastic sack that is big enough to go over the box. After you secure the bird with your hand, being gentle until you know what it is, you can fold the sack back to see it, and if it is HOSP, just close sack back up & humanely dispose of it. If it is BB or other native just turn lose, and they will fly away, usually without any trauma.
Scot, I would keep eye on the box the HOSP is claiming. When he gets a female with him and keeps going in & out I would set a VanErt trap – HOWEVER, you would need to monitor this very closely in case papa blue goes in. You need to try to get the HOSP, but again, be very cautious in case the BB gets trapped. Never leave the trap unattended for more than 30 minutes before you look to see if it is tripped.
Deb, I have had to remove HOSP nesting material LOTS of times to set the trap & get it to trip. I usually try to set it before the nest gets that tall, but sometimes you do not notice them building until later. By ALL means, remove as much as you need to of the nesting material – they will be back! I usually always put a very small amount of their nesting material over the arm of the VanErt in-box trap so it is not so noticeable when they look in. I got this trick from this forum or from Sialis website. Makes common sense to camouflage it I believe. If you have not had HOSP during your 20+ years, all I can say is you are one lucky person. I know many on this forum use the ones caught in the box as a decoy in their ground repeating trap. But if this is a trail, it would be hard to monitor, but apparently you have been doing it. GO GET THEM!!
Cher, thank for the photo tip. Trying it again, since the full picture really shows what’s inside the egg. I’m trying again but I just pulled up full size photo & got link & it was small again. Another try – can’t get it to work at all now. Oh well, you get the idea – sneaky, little brats!
Cher, thank for the photo tip. Trying it again, since the full picture really shows what’s inside the egg.
Pami, Cher has info on posting pictures under “Posting Tips for New Forum” which is 3rd from the very top of all posts. Scroll down to find that information on posting pictures. Little awkward at first but gets easier once you use photobucket or other site. I’m sure you are correct about the date on the picture, so that really isn’t the question. It’s whether those eggs are still viable, and you will probably have to leave it up to the mama on that one. She surely will quit sitting on them if they do not hatch soon. It’s a wait & see I believe. After a few more days you will have to decide and if you believe they might build another nest (probably getting late for this), you could remove the nest & eggs so they could try again. BUT you really need to wait a few more days I believe. Others posters – chime in here – she needs help!
