Martin stuck in the entrance . . . . or ?
I have some plastic gourds with SREH openings. I looked out the window and saw something black covering one of the entrances. Now what ! I walked closer and couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe a bird or a piece of plastic of some sort. I quickly cranked down the winch lower. I used a long stick and touched it and thought it wasn't plastic but maybe a dead bird since it didn't move or make any sounds. I lowered all the way down and touched by hand the feathered object. No response. No tail, feet or head was showing but it simply looked stuck sideways in the opening. I soon found it would be easier to just push it in rather than pull it out. Still no movement or sounds. Just after I pushed it inside a martin head looked out and it flew off and circled around flying quite well. Then another head looked out and it flew off did the same too ! Wow ! Quite a surprise for me ! So, was it stuck or did the other bird have a pit bull bite on it ? I don't think so because the last time I saw one clamp down on another there was lots of flapping and squalking going on for several minutes. My bird count is much lower this year than for previous years. Thanks. *BW*
Retsub
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
They probably were fighting and were exhausted. If they were fighting, it could be wing entrapment of some sort. Is it possible that the martin was hung up on something? Since two of them flew away, it probably was one holding down the other, especially if they were of the same sex.
Another possibility is cold weather, they will sometimes fill up a compartment and the last bird will not fit inside. They use this group bedding down for the night to keep warm. Often 6 to 12 birds are in one compartment when this happens. Its usually near freezing early in the season when you see this kind of event.
Another possibility is cold weather, they will sometimes fill up a compartment and the last bird will not fit inside. They use this group bedding down for the night to keep warm. Often 6 to 12 birds are in one compartment when this happens. Its usually near freezing early in the season when you see this kind of event.
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Scott D.- La
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:35 am
- Location: Louisiana
Retsub,
I tend to agree with Emil, probably fighting as they will lay there exhausted if one has the other in it's grip and that can go on for some time. I have seen a lot of entrapments and usually have to free the bird myself, as they cannot. What type of entrances you using?
I tend to agree with Emil, probably fighting as they will lay there exhausted if one has the other in it's grip and that can go on for some time. I have seen a lot of entrapments and usually have to free the bird myself, as they cannot. What type of entrances you using?
Thanks to all of you for your interest. Haven't seen any problems since.
Emil- The only thing inside is pine needles. Good thought though.
Scott D- The gourds are double wall S&K with single hole clinger entrances that have the verticle wall at each side of the opening rather than a full radius.
J arnett- I'll recheck them but I don't think there is a problem.
*BW*
Emil- The only thing inside is pine needles. Good thought though.
Scott D- The gourds are double wall S&K with single hole clinger entrances that have the verticle wall at each side of the opening rather than a full radius.
J arnett- I'll recheck them but I don't think there is a problem.
*BW*
Retsub