For the past two years our family has watched while bluebirds fought off sparrows and acrobatic stray cats to establish a nest in a bluebird box we had set up. Finally, this year they were successful and four chicks were hatched. This last Friday the chicks were about two weeks old and were fine. This past Monday they were all dead. The temperatures this past weekend were moderate, so I don't think they fried and they didn't freeze. But I understand that there are certain parasites that can attack bluebirds more than other bird species. Is there anything I could have done? Is there something I can do in the future to insure a better chance of survival for these beautiful birds?

Missing the Blue Birds of Happiness...

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), July 11, 2000

Answers

Craig:

Is it possible something got the parents and they simply starved to death? I have about 14 bluebird boxes and, to my knowledge, haven't had this problem.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 11, 2000.

Hi Ken,

No. As a matter of fact, the parents kept coming to the box with food, but my daughter noticed a smell coming from the bird box and discovered the deaths. The parents continued to hover near the box until we removed the chicks.

Craig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), July 11, 2000.

Craig, I don't remember what part of the country you are from, but if you are anywhere on the East Coast, West Nile Virus has been a severe proplem here, to wildlife, and people and you should report the death of the birds to the Health Dept. or local cooperative extention. I guess, no matter where you are, it wouldn't hurt to make a report.

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), July 11, 2000.