Birding/Mother Wren

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/2/2010


Question
Is it usual for the Mother Carolina Wren not to sit with her hatched babies at night?  The babies are 5 or 6 days old, and last night she didn't nest with them.  They are in my garage in Florida where it is warm, but I am just concerned that she should be there.

Thank you,
Sandy Bates

Answer
Hi Sandy. Especially early in the season on colder nights the mother "broods" (the female has a featherless brood patch) the young for a few days. After that she does not stay with them at night as when they are generating their own heat it would be too hot. Also many predators attack nests at night, and this way they may get the babies, but the mother will survive to raise more young. If you also have Bluebirds please send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book. Bluebird Bob. (Google me if you are concerned about giving out your address).

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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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