I have had a camera nestbox for 3 years and up to now it has been empty. I now have what looks like 2 blue tits fighting over it. Both blue tits are bringing nesting material and exhibiting nesting behaviour. The fighting has been going on for days. Is this likely to continue or will one bird eventually give up? I did wonder whether the second blue tit was the male at first, but why would they be fighting in that case?
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Blue tits fighting in nestbox (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter suea287
- Start date
YuShan
Well-known member
Interesting! I have seen Blue Tits fighting in my own nest box, but not repeatedly. It was a short fight and then I never saw the other bird again. But that was before the actual nest building had started.
As far as I'm aware, only the female builds the nest, so you might be dealing with two females if they are both bringing in nest materials. (But are you sure? It can be difficult to tell individuals apart).
I think you are lucky to see this. It will be interesting how this plays out. If they are both building the nest, they are probably more motivated to defend "their" nest, but one will eventually have to give up.
I have also read somewhere that Blue Tit males sometimes have more than one female. Just imagine these are the two wives of the same male. The intrigue!
As far as I'm aware, only the female builds the nest, so you might be dealing with two females if they are both bringing in nest materials. (But are you sure? It can be difficult to tell individuals apart).
I think you are lucky to see this. It will be interesting how this plays out. If they are both building the nest, they are probably more motivated to defend "their" nest, but one will eventually have to give up.
I have also read somewhere that Blue Tit males sometimes have more than one female. Just imagine these are the two wives of the same male. The intrigue!
Thank you for your reply - very interesting. I can't definitely tell them apart, but they appear to have slightly different patterns on their wings. I didn't see any fighting today, but lots of nest material being brought - feathers and sheepswool as well as foliage.Interesting! I have seen Blue Tits fighting in my own nest box, but not repeatedly. It was a short fight and then I never saw the other bird again. But that was before the actual nest building had started.
As far as I'm aware, only the female builds the nest, so you might be dealing with two females if they are both bringing in nest materials. (But are you sure? It can be difficult to tell individuals apart).
I think you are lucky to see this. It will be interesting how this plays out. If they are both building the nest, they are probably more motivated to defend "their" nest, but one will eventually have to give up.
I have also read somewhere that Blue Tit males sometimes have more than one female. Just imagine these are the two wives of the same male. The intrigue!
