Participant Photos
upload and share photos
Photo Submission
Submitted By
Martha Sharifi
Lithia, FL, United States
Description
Highlights for Brood #2. Only 2 of the 3 eggs hatched for this pair’s second nesting attempt In total, 7 babies have now fledged over the past 2 broods this season. They are now working on brood #3 with 3 eggs laid thus far.
Category
Species
Eastern Bluebird – Brood #2 Highlights
These are beautiful snapshots of bluebird family life. 🙂 How long did it take you to train them to use the feeder? Our bluebirds refuse to use a feeder.
Thank you, Paula. Last year, I first trained the bluebirds in my area to take live mealworms from a dish feeder that hung from a pole. It only took a few days for the bluebirds to spot the feeder. This year, the dish feeder attracted many Northern Mockingbirds which prompted me to purchase the caged feeder. It’s great as only small birds can get in. It took the female only a few days to figure it out, but the male fluttered around it for over a week. I decided he needed a perch so I placed the old feeder hook back on the pole directly below the feeder and that did the trick. The male and the babies often land on it first then jump their way in. I hope this helps.
Thanks, Martha, it does help. I had not thought about adding a perch the first time around. A large amount of my worms are being eaten by the local jays, crows and starlings so I am considering getting the feeder out of storage again! It’s similar to the one pictured in your photo. *Happy Bluebirding*
Oh my gosh, I love these! My first attempt at home didn’t go so well. Six eggs with none hatching and then something throwing them out of the nest. Tree swallows moved in. 🙁 The picture of the parent feeding the hatchling is awesome!