Birding/Baby bluebirds

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/18/2010


Question
This morning I noticed dry grass under my bluebird box.  It looks like something got into
the box but there is at least one baby still alive.  I haven't seen either parent in several hours
and they are usually always around the yard or at my feeder.  Is this normal?  Will the mother
abandon the baby?  I don't see any other clues except the next being disturbed.

Answer
A raccoon will pull grass out, and sometimes House Wrens and the killer house sparrows will also. They also will kill or throw the babies out. Usually the parents will leave after an attack to save themselves. Keep your fingers crossed! Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book which will help you to deal with these problems. Especially see page 19 about not having only one Bluebird house. Bluebird Bob Walshaw.

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Bluebird 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.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 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,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

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.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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