Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 4/23/2011

Question
We have 3 nesting (pairs) of birds in boxes / houses / nests on our deck. An Eastern Bluebird pair, a Carolina Wren, and a Carolina? Chickadee. All of the boxes / houses / nests are within 15 feet of each other. The male Bluebird is very protective of "his" area, chasing the Chickadee away while the Chickadee is bringing food to it's young. Since the Bluebird seems to be that protective of the area, we were very surprised by the following observance. My wife noticed this first today. The male Bluebird was landing on the nest of the Carolina Wren, she tapped on the window to scare off the Bluebird as she thought it was being aggressive toward the Carolina Wren chicks. A short while later my wife noticed the male Bluebird back again with something in it's mouth. After watching for a while, we both observed that the male Bluebird was taking turns with the Carolina Wren feeding the Carolina Wren chicks. He is still very attentive to his mate (feeding her) while she is sitting on her eggs. We were wondering if this is common for one bird species to feed another's young? Also, is it likely to continue once the Bluebird's eggs hatch?

Answer
That is not unusual. Birds have been seen even feeding  begging carp and koi at water garden pools. And yes if you live in the southern part of the country that would be a Carolina Chickadee. The Black Capped Chickadees nest farther north. And it is hard to predict what will happen when the Bluebird eggs hatch as you have a bit of a time bomb there. Bluebirds are very territorial, even toward their own kind, and it is recommended that their boxes be 100 yards (a football field) apart unless there is a barrier like a house between them so that they can't see each other. I suggest that next year you spread things out a bit. One exception to this is if you live in an area where there are Tree Swallows we pair boxes fifteen feet apart and often Bluebirds will take one and Tree Swallows the other and they will work together against predators like the killer house sparrows, House Wrens, etc. If you will send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net I will send you at no obligation my free 20 page Bluebird book which will make you experts. Your address will be used only to mail the book, and if you are concerned about this Google Bluebird Bob Walshaw to see the work that I do. Happy Easter, Bob Walshaw.