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Birding/Bottom of next baby blue bird--to assist or not?

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 7/7/2008


Question
My bluebird box always has the first successful "batch" (sorry, not knowledgeable of correct terms).  Last year around mid June, a late, second occupancy of the bird box resulted in dead babies, primarily due to many days of over 95 degree weather.  This year's late nesting started out with five eggs.  Right now, I only see 3 strong gaping mouths (approx 5 days old) and one small 4th mouth barely visible at the bottom.  I think I should let nature take its course, but it's difficult knowing the inevitable. We're enclosed in smoke (almost like fog) and another very hot day forecasted with many more to come (California foothills).  Any advice would be welcome.  

Answer
Usually it is best not to assist a runt or a less than healthy bird (nature needs the survival of the fittest to be successful). However I would check to see if the bird has a foot trapped by something. One of my other contacts had a bird that would not leave the nest - his foot was caught in a horse hair! You can touch the birds - it is not a problem until after they are 12 days old as if you do then they sometimes try to leave the nest too early. (hatching to flight is just 19 days!). Send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book that will make you an expert.

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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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