Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/26/2010

Question
QUESTION: We have had a mother and father in our bluebird house feeding their babies for a good week and half. However, we've realized that the black snakes have figured out where they are. This morning, we realized that Mama and Daddy were together on the same branch appearing very upset. Upon inspection, there was a black snack on the ground at the pole holding the box. We disposed of that snake as we have done others that have threatened babies in the past. Daddy has since flown off, and not returned. However, Mama is constantly sitting on the branch next to the box. She has yet to go back in the box.  Do the mothers mourn or do they wait outside until they feel all danger is gone? In the past when we have found snakes in the box, the parents would fly down to the box, flap their wings wildly, and return to another branch in a higher tree and watch.  The snake would also poke it's head out. I don't feel the mother would be this close to the box this time. We have checked the bottom of the box and there is no snake but didn't want to disturb the nest in case the babies were still there. And mother still keeps returning, even after we go out to inspect, but not going in. I would also like to know if they mate for life or season? Does their relationship end when the babies are killed or grown? I feel like this poor mother is distraught about losing her babies and perhaps her mate as well. If you can answer these questions I would appreciate it and if you can recommend a good book about bluebirds and their behaviors I'd appreciate it.
Thank you so very much.
Dana Honea
NEBO, NC

ANSWER: I will answer your questions as well as relieving your mind a bit. Black snakes are really good as they do a lot more good than harm. They get a lot of rats, mice, gophers, etc. and should not be killed. You should just put snake guards on your box poles. And don't ever worry about disturbing the birds. You should be opening the box every week to check (very carefully after the young are 12 days old). You can even carefully handle the babies until they are 12 days old to check for problems or to show children, etc.

This early in the season they will probably nest again. If the babies are gone remove the nest. Always do this after babies leave or after an attack if the nest is empty. Bluebirds can raise as many as 15 or more young in a season, and if they all survived we would be up to our hips in Bluebirds. Predators get the sick, slow and the dumb, thus keeping the species strong. Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book. See page 19 about why you should have 3 or 4 boxes. Bluebird Bob.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so very much for responding so quickly.  Can you elaborate a little more on the snake boxes, how do they work and where can we find them? Seems we are having a manifestation in this area! LOL! Also, will Mama bird continue to come around until it's safe to rebuild a new nest and start again?  Not sure why she is still sitting outside the box just waiting and watching but not going in like she has been. She is not even going up to the hole, but is sitting only about 1 foot from the hole.
You have been a huge help..oh.. my husband just checked and said there are some going in and out now.. perhaps they were making sure the danger had passed.

Answer
You need to have opened the box to see if the babies are OK, etc. There are two ways to keep snakes out. The first is to put a cone of sheet metal at least 36 inches in diameter on the pole under the box. Be sure that there is no opening at the pole that a snake can get through. Or you can put a skirt of 1/4 inch garden netting around the pole under the box. It will catch the snakes as theit scales are all in one direction like the shingles on a roof and they can't back out of the netting. You will then have to take the snake out as the birds will not feed their babies with a snake in the netting. Good luck. The book will mail on July 1st. Especially see page 19. Bluebird Bob.