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First off, Congratulations on the hatch and the new bluebirds. The bluebirds can generally take care of their young without any outside help. While we do try to pamper the little creatures as though they were our children, Nature has provided the blues and all other birds with the instincts and abilities to provide for themselves. You can try to introduce mealworms to them now, but don’t be surprised if they ignore the offering. I tried for 3 years to get them to take the mealworms from a variety of feeders but gave up as they did fine finding grubs, larva, and insects in the trees, woods, and fields around my neighborhood. If you do try, use a feeder such as advertised on the homepage here, or one where they can feed without interference from other birds. The worm container should be smooth sided to prevent the mealworms from escaping the feeder. Depending on where you are located, it may be too late to order the worms online due to the heat. You might find small quantities available at pet shops or possible live bait stores
Good luck in your new adventure
David
Stafford, VABlues may lay 4 or 5 eggs. It depends on the female. I have had 1 season of 4, 4, and the 5 eggs and 3 years ago it was a 5, 5, and 4 season. The white spot is probably fecal matter.
David
Stafford, VABrad the spooker should work well. A little breeze will keep the Mylar strips moving andbe a distraction for the HOSP and possible the wrens.
Incubation begins at the discretion of the female bird. She may not actually start incubating until the evening after she has laid the last egg. She may or may not stay in the nestbox depending on the temperature of the eggs. When it is cool, such as Spring evenings like we are having now (high 30s to 40 degrees) she will stay if not disturbed. As the eggs warm and as the days get hotter she will be in the box less frequently. She is the one that decides when she needs to be there.
Enjoy the trip
David
Stafford, VADefinitely sounds like a wren- probably a house wren. The only thing you can do if you want to keep that wren out is to clear the nest and leave the box open for a few days. If you see your bluebirds again, close the box and watch for activity.
David
Stafford, VAGive them as much space as you can while keeping the box clear of trees, shrubs, fences, etc. that could be an entry way for predators.
Good luck with the dee’s
David
Stafford, VAA normal hatch would be 14 days from the last egg laid or 14 days from when the female starts incubating. I agree with Gin that you see if she might have started incubating later. April was a strange month here in Virginia and maybe your eggs will still be viable. Good luck
David
David
Stafford, VAWhat sad news this morning. Sorry for your loss Carol. I know that your blues will try again soon. Take care
David
Stafford, VAI have only had that experience once. I was told on another forum that 4-5 days was usually the time to remove the unhatched egg. Use a small spoon to remove it and to not disturb the young birds too much.
5 eggs is generally the number of eggs that a bluebird will lay. This can vary due to weather conditions, age of the female, and others.
David
Stafford, VAYou should remove the old nest and the eggs. The new female is building her own nest and the old eggs will not survive. It is tough to see this happen but nature has a way of doing what is best for the species. The new female will lay her own eggs when she completes the nest. You need to dispose of the ole nest and eggs far away from the nestbox. A garbage can is safe.
Good luck with the new pair.
David
Stafford, VAThis has to be at least 40 new blues from postings thus far. Sounds like a good year in the making.
David
Stafford, VAThe nest is coming along fine. I believe that they will finish it off with softer grass and the female may even line it with tufts of down.
Happy nesting!
David
Stafford, VAThe standard answer is – it depends. If she is ready to start laying and she the male are working at it it could be a couple of days. If they are just “courting” it could be 3-5 days. You will be surprised at how fast they build and how neatly engineered your nest will look.
The females are a dull blue and do not have the significant orange breast color that the male has.
Here is my female. Note that the blue is slightly dull and does have a “dusty” tinge to it.
David
Stafford, VARandy, If she has stopped laying, she is incubating. She is probably taking a break to keep the eggs and an optimal temperature. If it is warm out she may not be in the box at all for a while. Start your count for the day of hatch from the day that she laid the 5th egg and add 14. That should be hatch day.
Brad, your male sounds like he is still trying to attract a female. He may add pine needles and sprigs of grass to the box but I doubt that he would build a full cup nest without a female present. Keep us posted on when a female arrives.
David
Stafford, VATammy is right about the chain saw. I was just out in the back yard a ways behind the nestbox using my wood chipper/shredder for about 6 hours today. Both mama and papa bird fed the young as if I wasn’t there. I would stop putting tree branches into the chipper to watch – but did not shut down the chipper until I left for lunch and then at the end of the day. As long as you are not interfering with their nest they will probably ignore you.
David
Stafford, VA
