Birding/dead wren in nest

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/28/2011


Question
We have a house wren nest with 5 babies. The babies are now 14 days old.  Today, it looks like one of them is dead. Should I remove it from the nest, or will the mother/father remove it? If I should remove it, any suggestions how to do it as the nest opening is pretty narrow. Can it affect the other babies in the nest? Thanks

Answer
This close to fledging I would not disturb them. We often find dead babies in nests after the others fledge. If you also have Bluebirds please send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net for my free 20 page Bluebird book. Your address will be used only to mail the book. 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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