HELP dead bird in nestbox (1 Viewer)

[reddwarf]

Hi Folks

I have a webcam in my blue tits nestbox but in the last couple of days two have died they are about 2 weeks old. Should i just leave the dead birds in the box at least one of the parents is feeding the other 3 chicks. All will the dead birds cause a problem and best removed in case they spread disease or affect the health of the survivors. Worried if i open the box the parent bird will abandon the survivors.

Any advice

Red

 

[bp1]

I'm not an expert but i think its probably best not to open the box. The last thing you would want now is the parent birds to be frightened and abandon the box. You havent got long now before they fledge and then its probably best to clean your box out.

Regards
bp1

 

[delia todd]

Hi Red and welcome to Birdforum from all the Staff and Moderators.

Unfortunately, Blue Tits are quite used to losing chicks and are very capable of dealing with the bodies see this post in another thread.

So the above advice is quite correct, leave well alone and clean out the box when they are all fledged.

D

 

[reddwarf]

Thanks for the replies

What you say backs up this that i just found on another forum.

What to do about dead chicks - Adults will remove chicks that die one by one, even large ones, or the other chicks will tread them into the nest. Do nothing. If the whole nest dies, I'd recommend leaving it alone. Nests usually contain a lot of parasites, so if you open a dead nestbox you may well get a face full (and I mean full) of hungry fleas. It's not worth the bother. If an adult has been predated then a Sparrowhawk may well have 'scoped' it (they learn the tit's flight paths and ambush them). Also, tits are usually single-brooded so replacements are not common. Also, late nests have a low success rate, as they have missed the 'caterpillar peak', and even if they produce chicks these don't usually last long (as all vacancies have been filled filled by local juveniles from successful first broods). There is no human health hazard with a nestbox containing decaying chicks (not unless you eat your dinner out of it!). There'll be virtually nothing left of them after a week or two.


Hopefully the rest will survive

Red

 

[Euan Buchan]

I remember on Springwatch few years ago a Blue Tit pulled out one of it's Dead chicks.