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: 6/18/2008 Subject: Why don't my BB eggs hatch
Question This is the second set of eggs that my bluebirds have laid and they do not hatch. I live in Atlanta - hot and dry - The first nest was abandoned after 4 weeks. I cleaned out the box and the same pair (I'm sure of this) began building another nest in a different box. 5 eggs were laid in early May and to date none have hatched. I am feeding the pair with meal worms. Mom is always sitting on the nest. What does this mean? I'm baffled!!
Answer I would be baffled too if I was sure that it was the same pair. Once is not too unusual as once in a while there will be an infertile situation, but even this is rare as the female usually sneaks off after the pair bond is established and mates with other males (This has been verified by DNA testing - two fathers are represented in many Bluebird and other bird species - nature's way of buying insurance and broadening the gene pool.) I would remove the nest and hope for the best. I usually wait two weeks after the normal 12 to 14 day incubation period before doing this. Send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book that will give you a lot of additional information.
