Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 4/30/2009

Question
I have been watching my pair of bluebirds for several weeks now.  I live in North Carolina.  2 days ago, I noticed other birds trying to "scare away" my bluebirds.  While the mother was inside the box, the other bird climbed inside the box and the 2 were fighting.  Well, I watched the blue birds the rest of the day defend their home.  Yesterday, I noticed that there were what looked like to me sparrows (brown, white and some black) who had taken over the house.  I didn't see the bluebirds at all yesterday and haven't seen them yet this morning, but those pesky sparrows are very comfortable going in and out of the box and roosting on top.  Well, what I haven't told you yet, is that I opened the box yesterday, and there were 3-5 baby bluebirds inside.  Not eggs, but birds.  What do I do?

Answer
Unfortunately there is not much that you can do at this stage if the house sparrows have driven the Bluebird parents away. The house sparrow is an alien unprotected species and we Bluebirders trap and elimate them when we can. Shooting them is also legal. Usually by now they would have killed the babies. Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book which will give you some future help. (Google Bluebird Bob Walshaw if you have any question about sending me your mailing address)