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 We have several 3 days old baby blue birds in a nesting box on our deck. The adults usually visit the nest with food very frequently. I have not seen either adult at all today (early morning to mid afternoon). The babies are crying for food everytime they hear noises. Do you think it is normal that the parents have not visited all day? Do I need to feed them (mealworms) or just wait another day to see if the parents return?
Answer This is a difficult situation, but not unusual. Bluebirds have many predators and a hawk or something else may have gotten the parents. This is why they raise so many young. One Bluebird pair can raise 15 or more young in one season. and if they all survived we would be up to our hips in Bluebirds. There is a reason for predators - they usually get the slower and dumber which keeps the species strong.
Please don't do anything. Feeding them would be cruel, as they will bond to you, will not learn to forage or to recognize predators and will not survive in the wild. Let nature take its course.
Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book.
