Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 4/27/2009

Question
Just an update for you.  I wrote you about my nest of 9 bluebird eggs and you
asked to be kept up to date.  7 of the 9 are hatched!  Day before yesterday,
both birds were inside the nest box.  When I approached one flew out but the
other did not budge. I could see hatchlings inside.  Yesterday the second bird
was on the top of the house and again one was on the nest with still more
babies.  I finally got a peak this afternoon with no parent around and there
are 7 babies, and two eggs left.  So what do you think?  Two mothers sharing
a nest? These two seem to get along since they are in the nest box at the
same time.  That makes it seem it might be the parents and they are going to  
take care of them all!  Very exciting and hope they survive but I don't see how
there will be room for 7 birds as they grow bigger, much less 9!

Answer
Wow! Maybe it is two females - are you seeing two or is the other one a male? If the other two eggs don't hatch in a day or so remove them. There will be room for 7 - 6 is not uncommon. And refresh my memory - did you send me your mailing address for my free 20 page Bluebird book? My email address is walshaw1@cox.net. Also use this for future contacts. It will be easier for you. And we have a listserv with about 450 members who pass on information like your 9 eggs all the time. Let me know if you wish to join. You can post information or just read what others have to say. Bob Walshaw.