Strange Bluebird nesting behavior (1 Viewer)

The Merlin

Active member

• Feb 24, 2003

• #1

I looked in one of my Bluebird Boxes this morning and found a whole bunch of small green vegation in the box??? I've seen my Bluebirds do this before, though not with as much vegation, about two weeks before they nest?? Why do they do this?? Is it to freshen up the box or something??

 

N

Niteowl

Member

• Feb 26, 2003

• #2

It may be Chickadees trying to take over your Bluebird's box. Every year the Chickadees and Bluebirds battle for my three boxes. The Chickadees use that green moss to build their nests. It is unusual, though, for the Chickadees to start their nest building before the Bluedirds can claim the box

 

Wingwatcher

Well-known member

• Feb 26, 2003

• #3

I read somewhere that the male will bring a reed of grass or something, into the nestbox. If the female brings it out and drops it, she doesn't accept the home. Otherwise she builds her nest.

 

S

sweetdreamer

sweetdreamer

• Apr 20, 2006

• #4

Strange nesting behavior

The Merlin said:

I looked in one of my Bluebird Boxes this morning and found a whole bunch of small green vegation in the box??? I've seen my Bluebirds do this before, though not with as much vegation, about two weeks before they nest?? Why do they do this?? Is it to freshen up the box or something??

Click to expand...

Are you sure a carolina chickadee isn't also trying to nest.....????
I have had that happen (green mossy vegetation).The bluebirds often win and build with pine straw. I have seen bluebirds build on top of an active chickadee nest(in a bluebird house).

Jean

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Apr 21, 2006

• #5

I had a bit of a war the last two years between the Chickadees and Bluebirds over this one box. Now this year it started as usual but this time the Chickadee won that one box and the Bluebirds moved over to the other box. So far peace is reigning.

Yours sound more like a chickadee nesting material.