Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 7/24/2011

Question
Over the past few years we have successfully raised 3-4 broods of bluebirds per season in a box within view of our porch.  The whole family keeps up with our "bluebird family" all through the day every day and we know their habits well.  Two weeks ago the 3rd batch of the year hatched in the box with 4 healthy looking babies.  Three days after that we went on vacation for a week - babies looked great when we left.  Returned yesterday to find half the babies dead and the other two near death.  Dad was nearby and watching anxiously.  Didn't see Mom.  Cleaned out the dead babies who looked to have been dead less than 24 hours and the nest.  Under the nest were large ants and larvae and nest seemed damp.  Have never had trouble with it getting wet before.  Wondered if it was from the decomposing babies.  Cleaned box out well and put fresh dry grass in to replace nest.  Put remaining 2 babies back in box after drilling more ventilation holes because first guess was that the extremely high heat and humidity of last week along with the 4 babies crowded into the box caused their demise.  This morning the remaining 2 babies look good, fairly alert, but no sign of either parent today which is very unusual.  Wondering if they have abandoned the box now even though male was here yesterday.  Any advice?  Also any ideas about what caused the loss of the 2 babies?  We've never had any problems with predators before.  Thanks!

Answer
This is not unusual with the last nest of the season and with the high heat, but sometimes we just don't know. It is possible that a predator like a hawk got the female, and although one parent can raise a brood sometimes a male will not step to the plate.

If you will send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book which will add a lot to your knowledge. Your address will be used only to mail the book. See page 19 as to why you should have more than one box. Good luck, Bluebird Bob Walshaw.