Date: 8/5/25 9:48 am From: Bill Chaisson <wpchaisson...> Subject: Re: [NHBirds] A curious Eastern Bluebird story
Were there bluebird eggs in the nest beneath the house wren nest? A bird's
investment in a brood increases steadily as the cycle goes on. Maybe the
mother bluebird shooed away the house finch and took over her eggs? Given
their docile nature, it seems improbable that a bluebird would do that, but
the drive to finish the cycle might be strong enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*W.P. Chaisson*
1227 U.S. Route 4
Danbury, New Hampshire 03230
607-220-7425
On Sat, Aug 2, 2025 at 5:52 PM Alison Rhodes <alisonrhodes259...>
wrote:
> We have had Eastern Bluebirds nesting in a nest box in our front yard for
> several years now. This summer, I came back from vacation in early July and
> discovered that Northern House Wrens had built a stick nest on top of the
> pine needle bluebird nest. The bluebirds had already had at least 1 brood.
> I watched for a couple of days as the bluebirds tried to reclaim their nest
> and kick out the nesting wren mother who appeared to be sitting on eggs.
> The wrens stayed put with the male wren protecting his new territory. The
> bluebirds eventually gave up. Our house also has several House Finch nests
> on it and I noticed the bluebirds hanging around a finch nest, but didn't
> give it too much thought since they are cavity nesters.
>
> Unfortunately, about 3 weeks after the initial Northern House Wren
> takeover, we discovered the nest box on the ground with the top torn off
> and feathers all over. Some animal had gotten to them. I am not sure if the
> female survived, but the babies did not. The male was still hanging around
> the territory singing for a few days.
>
> But back to the bluebirds- Last night, my son, Jacob, observed a bluebird
> sitting on the House Finch nest which is on top of a 2nd floor AC unit, so
> I decided more careful observation was in order. This morning I sat out
> for an hour to watch the nest and I saw the female bluebird sitting on the
> nest, bringing food, and removing a fecal sac. I also saw the male bring
> food. I couldn't see babies since it is so high, but it appears that the
> bluebirds did indeed take over the open house finch nest.
>
> I am curious if anyone has seen similar behavior in Eastern Bluebirds?
>
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