Bluebirds Undeterred by Housing Slump

Despite the uncertainty in the housing market, these bluebirds are eager to set up their new household. The male captured this earthworm and held it for several minutes while the female gathered dried grass clippings for her nest.

When she took a break, he flew to her side and gave her the worm to eat. Wish I had captured that moment!

Bluebird Update Day 18: Mr. Mom

After day 13, baby bluebirds shouldn't be disturbed because they may be startled into leaving the nest before they are old enough to survive on the outside. (Hint: If your spouse prefers that you cut the grass more often than you think is necessary, then this bit of information can free up at least one Saturday afternoon, possibly two.) I took advantage of that extra time to watch the parents, and noticed that the male is doing most of the feeding.

This has been going on for a few days. I began to wonder if the female had perhaps been killed because all afternoon Friday, the male was back and forth, bringing insects to feed the baby. About 7:00, however, the mother showed up, looked in on the little one, and flew up into a tree. Who knows, maybe she has a career. She was around this morning, which was Saturday...













It is darn near impossible for me to get a decent picture of a bird in flight, except by accident, but here are a few that turned out pretty well.

Baby bluebird: Day 6

Heard a tiny "cheep" today when I checked the box! For a great series of photos showing bluebird growth, check out the Texas Bluebird Society.

Baby Bluebird: Day 4

Our new bluebird has made it to Day 4. He didn't seem too energetic when I checked this morning, but was stretching his wings a bit. His eyes are still closed, and he's still more skin than down. According to my bluebird book, about Day 4 or 5, the beginnings of real feathers will appear under the skin.

Being the only baby in the nest, he doesn't have to compete with siblings for food, so I hope that will give him an advantage in growing strong. (You know, we all want our babies to get into the right preschool, or their lives will forever be substandard...) The parents are very attentive: I see them in and out of the box all day. Mom and Dad still don't like me messing around in the box; they perch on the corner of the house and watch as I take photos, then when I'm finished, Dad goes and checks it out before Mom goes back in. Usually the male makes a big show of spreading his wings to intimidate me, but he didn't seem quite so freaked out today. Maybe he's learning to tolerate my curiosity about his baby; in return, I limit my visits to no more than two quick looks per day.

The Day 1 photo is still the best--I don't keep the box open longer than I have to, so I don't always get the best pose, but here (s)he is on Day 4.

Baby Bluebird: Day 3--Living to Fight Another Day

Eyes still closed, but a little bigger and stronger. Today when I opened the box, (s)he opened its mouth, obviously accustomed to receiving food.

Bluebird Baby: Day 2

Our bluebird baby has grown a few tufts of down since he hatched yesterday. Sorry this picture isn't as good as the previous one. I try not to spend too much time messing around the nest because it worries the parents. Wish him/her a safe night, and check back tomorrow.

Baby Bluebird Hatched Today!!!

We have a baby bluebird! He or she hatched sometime today. We started with three eggs, which the mother attended to for two weeks, then yesterday one disappeared. This morning, of the two remaining eggs, one was open, but the baby inside wasn't moving. When I came home this afternoon, there was one tiny baby, very much alive, squirming and stretching his little muscles.

It is miraculous to me that something this frail, tiny, and helpless can survive. I know that many don't; Nature has little regard for individual lives, and I realize that the odds are against this little one, but still, I don't see how any creature that starts out like this can live, but obviously many do. Proof, I suppose, that God knows what She is doing.

He needs about three weeks to grow up. It's going to be tough. There are all sorts of predators (and if a House Sparrow kills him I'm declaring jihad on them!) but here's hoping he makes it. Good Luck little one!

Baby Birds

Our bluebirds have three eggs! I checked the box Tuesday and saw two; by Wednesday afternoon there was a third. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a successful nesting.

This has been a good year for baby birds. The brown-headed nuthatches and Carolina wrens are bringing their young ones to the feeders every day; a pair of bluebirds nesting nearby had all five babies survive, I've got more baby house finches than I can count--any more and we're going to need an air-traffic controller at the feeder--and just this evening I saw a young cardinal on the fence. It's like having my own private aviary!

Bluebirds are House-Shopping

The bluebirds are checking out our nest box again. Remember the mayhem that ensued the last time they tried to nest here? I hope they have better luck this time. This male is much more aggressive; not only has he been skirmishing with those malicious house sparrows, this afternoon he dive-bombed a blue jay and a robin, both of whom were minding their own business. The female watched with approval. (If she's going to be in the box caring for three to five helpless babies, she needs a guy who'll chase away any interlopers!)

Bluebird Fledglings and Dad

"OK kids...the way to find food is to sit up here on the fence and watch for insects, because that's the best meal. If you're in a hurry, though, there are always sunflower chips in the feeder. And don't worry about the guy with the camera; he's harmless...Hey Junior, are you listening? What did I just say?"