A Blue Bird question for BB'der's here in Martin Town

[Matt@atx]

My Male Blue Bird (whom I have now named Flash) lost his family( female mate and 4 babies) to a Sparrow attack on 04/09. He was no where to be found. I posted on this last week.

On Sunday, 04/14 near dusk while I was out with the Martins, ( its fun to watch them come in for the night), out of the corner of my eye I see something fly be, turn, and its him of a Trellus(spelled right?) looking at me like he used to do. Course Im happy to see him.

On Monday 04/15 I go over there and he appears again in his other perching place which is nearby power line, then goes down to a nearby post and starts singing, not chatter.. but a song or long chirps. Never heard a BB before.

Tuesday I go back to remove his old nest in the box they used before the attack because I thought this would be good it he returns but I noticed that the nest had been elevated about 1 inch completely around.

The nesting materials and most importantly, the craftmanship appears to be identical to the existing nest so I left it with silent mental intrigue.

I would bet money that after his ordeal, this BB would have given me "the bird" and never come back to that place but it appears he has for now.

Mom calls me tonight when she went out about 6ish, 7ish and states Flash was on the cross perching bars of one of Martin racks( his other perching place) which is within 10 to 12 feet from his old box and was singing.


Having said that,
My question to Martineers here who also may really know BB behavior
is, ... Is he trying to get another mate?

Can't help but be hopeful even though I don't real know and should I get a 2nd shot, I will not fail to run things tight "by the numbers" this time.

[Mhoover]

It sounds to me like he is trying to attract another mate. I hope that he is successful.

[Mike in NC]

Matt,

Bluebirds are territorial. Your male bluebird "owns" your little corner of the world and he's not about to abandon it. He will continue to search for a new mate and try to nest with her. She, however, will chose the location within his territory to nest in.

My wife and I went through a similar experience years ago and we've experimented with different ways to handle sparrows. Shooting/trapping is your primary defense. But you can also be very effective by offering "Sparrow-resistant" bluebird housing. These bluebird boxes offer a rectangular slot, rather than a round hole. The bluebirds are fine with it, but the sparrows don't seem to care for it. Another trick is to use a "sparrow spooker" - install it after the bluebird eggs are laid.

The best bluebird resource you can find is at http://www.sialis.org/

Good luck with your bluebirds!

-Mike

[Matt@atx]

Matt,

Bluebirds are territorial. Your male bluebird "owns" your little corner of the world and he's not about to abandon it. He will continue to search for a new mate and try to nest with her. She, however, will chose the location within his territory to nest in.

My wife and I went through a similar experience years ago and we've experimented with different ways to handle sparrows. Shooting/trapping is your primary defense. But you can also be very effective by offering "Sparrow-resistant" bluebird housing. These bluebird boxes offer a rectangular slot, rather than a round hole. The bluebirds are fine with it, but the sparrows don't seem to care for it. Another trick is to use a "sparrow spooker" - install it after the bluebird eggs are laid.

The best bluebird resource you can find is at http://www.sialis.org/

Good luck with your bluebirds!

-Mike

THANK YOU Mike,

Great information. Particularly these boxes with rectangular entrances. very interesting. I have the spooker.

What great news to hear that he considers the area there his, it certainly will be and Im lucky to have him. this is great news. At the least, I know we will have him next season. The Martins and him get along well. no problems at all.
He used to hang out on the racks sometimes with The Martins and its live and let live since he does not want gourds. I will research more and keep an eye open. I beleive I have been bitten.
I saw somewhere( can't remember where) a roundage(maybe) cameoflouge type BB house one could buy which is a newer design that Sparrows don't seem to like too much. Do you know what this is called if I have described it correctly?

[Mike in NC]

Matt,

I'm not familiar with the type of house that you are describing, but I'm always on the lookout for options when it comes to dealing with the sparrow threat.

We have been fortunate to not lose a brood since adopting the slot-type entrances and sparrow spookers for our Bluebirds. Of course, we are also quite vigilant with the air rifle. My wife has become an excellent shot and I believe that when HOSPS have nightmares, they dream of her!


-Mike

[James Rieman]

Bluebirds are notorious for switching mates between nesting attempts in a single season, especially when there is a nest failure, even without the death of one of the pair. It is early in the season and if you are in good bluebird habitat you have a good chance that your male will find another mate.

[Matt@atx]

Matt,

I'm not familiar with the type of house that you are describing, but I'm always on the lookout for options when it comes to dealing with the sparrow threat.

We have been fortunate to not lose a brood since adopting the slot-type entrances and sparrow spookers for our Bluebirds. Of course, we are also quite vigilant with the air rifle. My wife has become an excellent shot and I believe that when HOSPS have nightmares, they dream of her!


-Mike

Thank you for taking the time to share your BB knowledge with me. At a minimum, all BB houses will be switched to slot entrances for next season. If I ever can find this cameoflage BB house again, I will post the link here for you. I somewhat remember it being the cameoflage color that wigs out the Sparrows but not sure.
I stand ready with a Blaine's Sparrow Spooker should he find another mate for the yard.
So you have 2 crack shots in your house hold? .. lol. thats awesome that your wife is a great pellet rifle sniper. If you guys had 2 decent pellet rifles, you could pick off birds in tandem. Sit at different places around your place, get some ears pieces for your cells and talk in your targets to each other as you drop multiple bad birds.... lol. !! What a family ! I love it.

[Matt@atx]

Bluebirds are notorious for switching mates between nesting attempts in a single season, especially when there is a nest failure, even without the death of one of the pair. It is early in the season and if you are in good bluebird habitat you have a good chance that your male will find another mate.

Thank you James for taking to take to share your knowledge as well. What a reassuring thing to know. I'm afraid my area which is central Texas (south of Austin) may not be a BB rich environment but this is only my opinion since I have only seen 1 pair of BB once in a few years outside our property in the next town down(Kyle).

He(Flash) is looking and the good news is that I see him almost everytime I go to the site to look after the Martins. He's around but no girl yet. Thanks James