AboutBluebird Bob Walshaw Expertise Questions about setting up and monitoring Eastern Bluebird houses. This includes where and how to put up houses, trouble shooting, fighting predators, etc.
Experience 10 years with an 80 box Bluebird trail which has been accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail. Talks on Bluebirds to many organizations.
Organizations North American Bluebird Society, Audubon Society
Publications Bluebird Magazine, Birds and Blooms, Oklahoma Today, etc.
Education/Credentials BS, MBA, Cornell University Bird Biology course
Awards and Honors Blue Cross Ageless Hero, Red Cross Everyday Hero
Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw Date: 6/22/2008 Subject: Many bluebird eggs in the nest
Question Hi Bob,
Predators got the first batch of our Western Bluebird (5)eggs in May. We made changes and moved the box and better predator proofed it. The female laid 5 more eggs in 5 days. Then on day 6 or 7 the eggs were buried in the nest. Five days later there are 5 more bluebird eggs on top of the other batch. There has been no other bird activity in and out of the box (as far as I can tell) except for the Bluebirds. What is going on here, why didn't the first batch hatch already? Isn't 9-10 eggs unusual? I have only seen a male and a female Bluebird at any one time and no other Bluebirds. Both are still alive.
Answer A house sparrow or some other bird buried the eggs, and they did not hatch as they were not incubated long enough (need 12 to 14 days depending on the wearher). What is unusual is that when this happens the Bluebirds usually abandon the nest. They are being very persistent in laying eggs again on top of a buried set. We usually advise removing the nest and eggs when they get buried, but the birds have beaten you to it. Keep your fingers crossed! I am assuming that you have the free 20 page Bluebird book. If not send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net. And keep me posted by email as to what happens.
