I was checking the BB nest boxes and to my surprise there were 4 hatched ones in the first box and in the second one, a baby hatched right before my eyes. My question is (and I know this is a PM forum so hopefully I won't offend anyone by asking about BB) this - I didn't touch the nest or the babies, I just opened the box and took pics and video. Will the mother still care for the babies or will she abandoned?
Thanks!
Blue Bird Question
and a PMCA member!-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
No problem whatsoever. One thing, when the babies are hatching, the mother needs to be there, sometimes she helps remove the shells, so don't keep her away very long, make your visits short.
I checked one of my nests this AM, and the mother never moved, she was sitting on eggs. I slowly closed the lid, and she remained inside.
I checked one of my nests this AM, and the mother never moved, she was sitting on eggs. I slowly closed the lid, and she remained inside.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
It's amazing to witness these events. I had 4 BBs fledge a few days ago. I did nest checks every couple of days and the parents don't mind.
At about day 14 the parents will be a little protective and swoop you as fledge day approaches. Mine fledged on day 17.
Enjoy them! BBs are terrific to have around. I'm getting a new nest built in that box again. Will probably have three clutches before it's all over.
At about day 14 the parents will be a little protective and swoop you as fledge day approaches. Mine fledged on day 17.
Enjoy them! BBs are terrific to have around. I'm getting a new nest built in that box again. Will probably have three clutches before it's all over.
I had bluebirds nest in one of my gourds last year:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g80/h ... hoto-6.jpg
Made sure I provided them with alternative housing this year. If you follow the protocol they can help with the sparrows. They did for me this year.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g80/h ... hoto-6.jpg
Made sure I provided them with alternative housing this year. If you follow the protocol they can help with the sparrows. They did for me this year.
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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pugsleyhall
- Posts: 268
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:28 pm
- Location: Alabama/Grant
Great pictures Mike! Thank you for posting them. Bluebirds are wonderful to have around.
Proud member of the PMCA
2008-0
2009-0
2010-Several Lookers
2011-Quite a few visitors but none stayed
2008-0
2009-0
2010-Several Lookers
2011-Quite a few visitors but none stayed
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dancingirl76
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
- Location: Albia, IA
That is one thing about birds, they don't have a sense of smell so they don't abandon the babies if you handle them. I have had to even fix the BB nests before and took out the eggs (very carefully) and replaced. Our BB house had a metal mesh drop floor that was to keep the nest of the bottom for ventilation but from the parents moving around the eggs were resting right on the mesh floor so I had to re-do their nest to raise the eggs up. Then after the babies hatched same thing happened they were resting on the metal and I had to take the nest out, babies and all and remove the metal mesh piece and re-do everything again. Parents didn't mind at all. Just don't startle them unneccesarily and they don't mind. I try to keep my visits to a minimum though because there is mention that other animals can smell your presence and it can draw racoons and other animals to raid the nest box. Good luck on your bbs!
dancingirl76