Birding/3-day-old wrens

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 7/19/2008


Question
Although I am not constantly watching the nest made in my fern on the porch, I have yet to see the mother house wren bring her hatchlings ANYTHING to eat....nor have I seen any other birds around the nest.  It is 86 degrees on my porch in the shade.  The mother wren does come and sit on the nest in the evening (I have no idea how those babies breathe!?!) and she was sitting on the nest around 8:30 this morning.  I do not understand why I am not seeing frequent feedings.  One hatchling will open his mouth quite wide.  I did buy some fishing worms and placed them in dirt in a dog dish on the porch railing hoping mama would help herself.  Someone took a great many of the worms - but who knows who?  Please tell me if her behavior is typical....I worry over them like an old hen.  Thank you SO much.   Judy

Answer
86 degrees is not hot for birds. It has been in the high 90s here and I have a successful Carolina Wren nest going in my paper box which is in direct southern sun. If the mother continues to be there she should be feeding them, and if not it is not normal. Be sure that you are not hovering and disturbing her. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best and let nature take its course. If the babies don't make it was meant to be. This is why I always advise Bluebirders to put up at least 3 or 4 houses, as you will always lose some.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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