Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/23/2007

Question
About an hour ago, I went outside and to my horror saw a snake with his head inside our bluebird house.  The five babies are approx two weeks old. Had feathers for a few days.  My husband killed the snake.  It had one baby in it's mouth.  There was some blood on it but it was alive and moving around a lot.  It was pouring rain at the time and not really knowing what to do he put the baby back in the nest.  The parent bluebirds are understandably upset.  It's been an hour now and the rain has almost stopped.  I haven't seen them try to feed the babies again.  Were we wrong in putting the injured bird back in the nest?  He did have on gloves.  Do you think the parents may abandon the babies?  We are not sure what kind of snake, possibly a bull snake.  We don't know what to do.  They are eastern bluebirds.  Any advise would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
This is not unusual. They have a lot of predators. If no guards you may lose at least 1 out of 4 families. I advise putting up at least 3 or 4 houses so your eggs are not all in one basket (at least 100yds apart - use neighbor's property or along the highway.) The birds have had a bad shock and it is nature's way for the parents to save themselves. They may or may not return.

Please do not kill snakes except for poisonous ones around your home. Relocate them instead. They do a lot of good controlling rats, mice, gophers, moles, etc. Also you don't need gloves to handle the babies, and you can do this up until they are 13 days old to show your kids, friends, etc.
If you will send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net I  will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book. Bluebird Bob.