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Birding/bluebird nesting behavior

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Expert: - 4/17/2009


Question
There are 6 eggs in my backyard eastern bluebird nest box.I have not seen the male for 2 days now. I continue to leave mealworms and have observed the female eating them. Is it normal for the male to disappear? If not, what, if anything can I do to help the female and her brood.

Answer
The male may or may not be around and you haven't seen him. Or the male might have died or been eaten. If it is the case that he is gone, there is nothing you can do. The female will just have to feed the brood on her own. She knows better and can handle the situation better than humans can. So just keep your fingers crossed and thanks for your concern.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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