Chickadee, Bluebird, & Nuthatch.
Rare Bluebird visit to the feeders. There was 2 males & 1 female.
Rare Bluebird visit to the feeders. There was 2 males & 1 female.
A selection of images of some of our backyard parents and their kids. The bluebirds had three clutches in a new house I built just for them after I noticed them interested in (but not buying) an older house I’d put up. The Tanagers were summer-long visitors to our feeders, which was a real treat, and the Broad-winged Hawk was one of three fledglings who seemed unafraid to use our birdbath during the summer heat.
From my window I see
So many lovelies
Looking back at me
Another picture of an Eastern Bluebird feeding one of its young. The nest box was located in my backyard. Three Bluebirds hatched and fledged. The dad was diligent in feeding his young!
Eastern Bluebird Nestling that was getting close to fledging. From Spring-Summer 2022. My first attempt at installing a bluebird nest box. Three bluebirds successfully hatched and fledged.
Eastern Bluebird feeding its nestling. Nest box was located in my backyard spring-summer 2022. My first attempt at building one, installing, and monitoring it! Three Bluebirds hatched and fledged.
I have had this Duck Box on the edge of the East Fork of the Eno River in my backyard for 7+/- years. This is the first year it served as a successful nest site for 2 species, Wood Ducks and Eastern Bluebirds. Red Shouldered Hawks on the other hand have always found the Duck Box a productive hunting perch.
This is in 2020,I am posting this on:10/7/2022.I was new to Nestwatch in 2022.
All five bluebirds have fledged, the Hummingbirds have popped up in the yard, and all three robin eggs have hatched.
A juvenile bluebird has been assisting mom and dad with feeding the brood. There are four hatchlings in the nest.
All 5 bluebirds have hatched! I’ve seen adults stop in to feed very frequently!
Today the first two (I promise there’s another hatchling under the bird with it’s mouth open haha) bluebirds have hatched!
While photographing Eastern Bluebirds bringing insects to their nestlings in a tree hole, I “caught” a juvenile also bringing insects to its (presumed) siblings!! What a surprise!! The juvenile entered the tree hole four times with insects over the course of about an hour-and-a-half while the parents also fed the nestlings. The male bluebird had to wait his turn while the juvenile was in the tree hole.
When I approached the box, I saw the mama feeding her young. Bluebird young are fed exclusively plant and berry matter. After she left, I checked the box and was able to watch the (confused) babies eat their meals!
The three nest mates are coming right along. This will probably be the last time I open the box until they fledge.
The male of my Bluebird pair is very protective of his nest box.
Eastern Bluebird – five eggs laid, 4 hungry young on May 7, 2022. At least 3 sleeping nestlings on May 13. Not sure if the fourth is still there and is just hard to see. Time will tell!!!
Eastern Bluebird hatchlings – one egg left. I see a small puncture / crush on the last egg. Not sure if it is starting to hatch (to the best of my knowledge, that’s usually a morning thing), or if it was accidentally punctured.
Time will tell. Won’t check again for at least 3 days from now.
Nest building started Sunday, 4/10/22.
This little bluebird fledgling just left the nest and is looking around, taking it all in, and looking for mom and dad!
Bluebird family (siblings and parents) all pitch in to feed the nestlings
Mama Eastern Bluebird bringing food to the hungry nestlings.
Waiting patiently as their brothers and sisters hog the mealworm dish.
We have several nestboxes that we monitor and maintain on our property. Each year, they are full of babies…some having 2 to 4 broods with us.
A female Eastern Bluebird leaves the nest box after a quick morning meal delivery.
Bluebird in the yard!
This is a photo of one of the batches of Eastern bluebirds that successfully fledged from one of our bluebird nesting boxes. We provide live meal-worms in a special feeder. The parent birds quickly (usually) find the feeder and make good use of it. Their frequent flights to and from the feeder back to the nest box provide beautiful flashes of color as they struggle to keep up with the ever-hungry chicks.We are convinced that at least a few of these chicks have hung around, knowing that there is a good supply of food both natural and feeder-based.
The enjoyment from observing and learning Bluebird families is rewarding…
My first birdhouse build project. I wanted to build a real working birdhouse versus decorative. I researched the bird species with the need, and found Cornell Labs Nestwatch. This is now the first of 2 bluebird houses on either ends of our property.
This picture was taken in the spring of 2021. A pair of bluebirds successfully raised these five youngsters.
The Old Trolley Line Trail, Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Our first year putting in a bluebird nest box in our backyard was a huge success. We saw 3 different broods born, fledged 13.
bluebird in spring doing its job
Eastern Bluebird eggs in a dark nest box.
Newly hatched Eastern Bluebird
This year I have seen more Eastern Bluebirds in my backyard. I counted a number of four one day. These birds are such a delight to see. Their blue feathers are so beautiful, makes you want to get a glimpse or try not miss an opportunity to capture a shot of. I was thrilled after I put a nest box up they started becoming regulars. Though they never used the new box, they however nested in my martin apartment I have up, which was different but a wonderful experience none the less.
Fledgling Eastern Bluebird is bringing a mealworm to the nest box to feed the nestlings while the adult male is also feeding the nestlings.
This is our first year with a bluebird house. We are in a suburban setting with no Tree Swallows to compete with bluebirds. A pair of Eastern Bluebirds has been nesting each spring at the home across the street so we added the bird house and put a cup feeders with meal worms. After the pair’s first brood fledged, the adults selected our birdhouse for the second brood. Sometime around July 21, I repeatedly saw what I believe is juvenile male perching near to adult, and both visiting nest box as seen it first image. I am sure female was in the box. (There are four chicks.) On August 19, I observed the juvenile male enter box with grasshopper (?) and minute later exit. Note in second image that the wings have male blue but shoulders are still dark. Isn’t this clearly a juvie? Today is 8/20. I observed three drab birds on the next box at the same time. Granted, one could be adult female but at least two are juveniles. I frequently see two of these drab birds at morning feeding frenzy with one entering box, and a second waiting. Are helpers all that rare and we are just lucky?
Babies first flight! Fledging from the box.
Feeding time just prior to fledge
I have observed a juvenile bluebird assisting with family duty during this breeding cycle. In the photo depicted, I captured the juvenile removing a poop sac. I had additional photographs of the juvenile feeding the babies.
This Bluebird Juvenile from first brood is helping mom and dad feed this second brood. This is the second day I’ve seen this Juvenile carrying food to nest to feed.
Eastern Bluebirds fledge successfully.
These 2 fledged 3 weeks ago. Momma’s fate is unknown as she vanished after laying 2 eggs of a 3rd brood, the nest box found open. I suspect a predator got her. This makes watching these parenting moments all the more touching. I’m thankful for the 2 successful broods this year.
Bluebird fledglings ready to go
This is the second brood this year for a young breeding pair of Eastern Bluebirds.
8 day old Eastern Bluebirds in a nestbox in our pasture.
Female E. Bluebird preparing to feed fifth and final baby bluebird a Cicada
After 4 baby bluebirds already left the box, this female bluebird is preparing to feed the final baby a molted Cicada.
Just a couple days before expected hatching
In this clutch of 6, the first Eastern Bluebird egg hatched at 6:50 am. This is the second brood for this young breeding pair, who was also born in this same nest box last Spring. What a great way to start Memorial Day weekend!
Taken May 25, 2021. Abnormally large 5th egg in bluebird nest. 2nd nest of 2021 season.
This is the second brood this year for this young nesting pair. This sixth egg came as a complete surprise, as the parents were born in this same nest box only last year, so they are relatively young. Their last brood produced five fledglings, so I have my fingers crossed that we will have six more to add to my backyard family!
This was my first look at one of the young since I stopped nest box checks a week before fledging. We are first-time Bluebird landlords, and put a lot of thought and effort into giving Bluebirds a chance. One week after the brood of 4 fledged, the parents returned with a couple of the intrepid youngsters.
This male bluebird is protecting his house against some tree swallows, and he is doing a amazing job. His favorite move is the “Wing Flick”.
We woke up on Tuesday 4/27/21 and noticed the birdhouse had been tilted on the tree it was mounted on. We went out to investigate the scene and heard little chirps; looked in and saw at least 3 newly hatched bluebird babies. Watched the bird house from our patio for 6+ hours and didn’t see mom or dad bluebird anywhere in the area. We contacted a wildlife rehab center and they recommended we go ahead and retrieve the nest of babies and bring them indoors, feed them and then we drove them to their facility on 4/28. There are 5 babies total and they were all eating well. The birdhouse was mounted on the tree prior to us moving in but we are now moving it to a freestanding pole and adding a stovepipe baffle. We think one of the local feral cats got mom the night before. Dad did appear in the afternoon on 4/28 and sat on a branch in front of the birdhouse making calls toward the nest. 🙁
Baby Bluebird gets a few moments of encouragement from Papa Blue, minutes before he takes his first flight into the world.
Eastern Bluebirds nested in my backyard for the third consecutive year, and blessed me this Spring with 5 babies. This is the first brood at 5 days old. Hatch date was April 6, 2021.
The first image is of the female in our bluebird nesting pair, seemingly watching us as we observe from afar. The second image, taken on March 22, 2021, captures the actual bluebird nest with five eggs.
Eastern Bluebird nest under construction.
Juvenile Eastern Bluebird, presumably from first clutch, feeds sibling nestlings from second clutch. It was helping the adult pair (presumably its parents) feed the nestlings from the second clutch.
I build Blue Bird nest boxes for over 25 years with 2-3 successful nesting per year.
Showing success of nest
I can sit on our front porch and watch the parents come and go. I was luck to be able to catch them as they flew to the nest.
This is a pair of bluebirds nesting in a box in our yard AND an unidentified flying object that looks like a Western Kingbird. I am hoping someone on here will be able to tell me what the Unidentified Bird is. Thank You. Maureen
The eastern bluebirds first brood had 4 eggs so I thought they would have 3 for there second brood put the mother surprised me with a fourth egg wow! This made my day
First successful Blue Bird nesting
Bluebird couple and three juvenile bluebirds
The juveniles from 1st brood are hanging around my nest box while mom sits on her 5 eggs of 2nd brood. Dad feeds the juvis and mom in the box.
Well my bluebirds fledge all 4 of them on the same day but after they left I removed the nest cleaned it and I was done for now it’s been a couple of days and they never came back. They only visited once they went inside came out and left I never seen them in my yard ever since their the babies fledged I’m worried they won’t come back this was there first brood of they year and I got excited for there future broods. A pair of great crested flycatchers came by to check the nest box then left and never returned since. I don’t know what to do it’s almost a week since the babies fledged I’m freaking out
Video of 3 of our 5 Bluebird babies fledging. Finally got to witness the event & got it on video. So excited to have all 5 eggs hatch & go to fledge. We have hosted many BB families in that (& other boxes) but that box is a particular favorite.
We had a House Sparrow pair show up & compete for that box. My husband dispatched the male. Female showed back up a week later with another male. He had to dispatch that male as well. The Bluebirds then were able to complete their nest & family
As I was out monitoring, I found Berlin Dam box #14 had bluebirds actually hatching. Look close and you will see the blue eggs with small pecked out holes.