AboutBluebird 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. A free 20 page Bluebird book is available by sending your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net
Experience I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 15 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, etc.
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.
Question Hi, Today there were three live baby birds just starting to feather under our maple tree on the ground. I thought they were black birds and I killed them. After they were dead I looked at them closer and I saw a little bit of blue in the feathers on the wing and the breast was a lighter color also. I am wondering now if I killed baby bluebirds.We don't know where they came from. Do bluebirds build nests in a tree? I doubt they would have survived any way. I did see an adult bluebird come and sit on the box after I came in the house. When I was out I didn't see any around. We wanted to know if they were bluebirds what would have happened that they were on the ground and would they have survived? Thanks Ferne
Answer Yes they do nest in tree cavities too. It sounds as if you did kill baby Bluebirds. Something, a snake or other predator attack probably caused them to leave the nest early. In a case like that the parents keep feeding them and if they are able to get off the ground a bit into a bush they sometimes survive.
Be very careful about killing any birds. Even blackbirds are federally protected. The only birds that you can legally kill are the alien starlings and house sparrows.
Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book that will make you an expert.
