Originally Posted by virtualcynthia (Post 2330376)

Two mourning dove nests were destroyed in our area. We think it was a crow that’s been arround. Do you think the doves will nest in the same place again.

Originally Posted by vintageogauge (Post 2330301)

My guess would be a snake also.

Originally Posted by Marmaduke (Post 2330398)

Wonderfully stated! We live on a lake. 6-7 ducklings born every time we look in the Spring. 3 usually make it a month. Eagle and Osprey know Survival of the Fittest.

#1.Wrens are the only birds that fit into the bluebird house hole.
Can't stop it.

#2 Read about how to install a "Proper" Bluebird house or do not do it... take it down.
For instance, not a wood post, because it's easy for snakes to get those eggs. My husband got us a galvanized post for our house and we did NOT put it up near other trees or shrubs.

It's all a beautiful balance of mother nature. It is not murder.

Originally Posted by Pondboy (Post 2330286)

It’s always best to leave nature to take care of things, don’t interfere. Take down the bird houses and don’t feed the birds.

Feeding birds attracts them to one spot and they become prey to the birds that feed on them. In addition, mass gathering of birds increases the spread of diseases from one bird to another. Avian Flu. Don’t worry, the birds won’t go hungry or be at a loss for shelter. They will actually do better without us.

I do feel your pain on the loss of your little feathery friends.

Originally Posted by Happydaz (Post 2330306)

If it was a bird who killed the bluebird offspring it was probably a house sparrow. There are some ideas on discouraging them, such as cleaning out the birdhouse if they have built a nest after evicting the bluebirds and then move the nesting box to another location. Since these sparrows are not native birds they are not protected, bluebirds are protected. If you have a bird feeder nearby stop using it or relocate it farther away as seed feeders attract house sparrows. You can also purchase wider, slit opening bluebird houses that deter the sparrows who prefer a round hole. You may need a wire mesh guard over the wider opening as animals may have increased access to the babies. If no house sparrow builds a nest after this calamity maybe it was another creature. Usually a house sparrow throws out the bluebirds to build its own nest. Good luck! Keep trying.

Originally Posted by Pondboy (Post 2330286)

It’s always best to leave nature to take care of things, don’t interfere. Take down the bird houses and don’t feed the birds.

Feeding birds attracts them to one spot and they become prey to the birds that feed on them. In addition, mass gathering of birds increases the spread of diseases from one bird to another. Avian Flu. Don’t worry, the birds won’t go hungry or be at a loss for shelter. They will actually do better without us.

I do feel your pain on the loss of your little feathery friends.

Originally Posted by Lillyangel (Post 2330273)

About 3 days before the chicks were ready to leave the nest something pulled them out of the nest, killed them, but did not eat them. Some have told me that it must have been other birds that did this. I believe this is true, but would like some info on how to protect the nesting box since there are many types of aggressive birds in my neighborhood. I am very upset about this because I never even knew that bluebirds were songbirds until the mother sang me the most beautiful song I ever heard a bird sing. After the slaughter she came back and sat on the light post across the street for 2 days. I only saw the father briefly one time after the tragedy. I am thinking that maybe I should take down the nesting box (which it just a birdhouse), since I don't know what I am doing and do not care to be an accessory to any more murders of such wonderful creatures. But then I think about how much I would like to help them expand their population.

Originally Posted by Lillyangel (Post 2330448)

I see mocking birds fighting huge raven type birds and other birds all the time. I also saw the bluebird parents fighting them off once, I thought nothing of it at the time. I am usually not a birder and don't put seed out for them. They nested in a decorative raccoon on our light post. I knew it had a hole with a nesting area, but never thought a bird would choose it. Now that I have experienced this tragedy with these sweet songbirds who sang me beautiful songs, I have changed.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2330434)

I would think that a galvanized post is a great idea.

Originally Posted by Lillyangel (Post 2330273)

About 3 days before the chicks were ready to leave the nest something pulled them out of the nest, killed them, but did not eat them. Some have told me that it must have been other birds that did this. I believe this is true, but would like some info on how to protect the nesting box since there are many types of aggressive birds in my neighborhood. I am very upset about this because I never even knew that bluebirds were songbirds until the mother sang me the most beautiful song I ever heard a bird sing. After the slaughter she came back and sat on the light post across the street for 2 days. I only saw the father briefly one time after the tragedy. I am thinking that maybe I should take down the nesting box (which it just a birdhouse), since I don't know what I am doing and do not care to be an accessory to any more murders of such wonderful creatures. But then I think about how much I would like to help them expand their population.

Originally Posted by Peggymarie (Post 2330483)

So sorry - I know how heart breaking this is. I have a Bluebird nesting box in the back of our house. I enjoyed watching it from my Lanai. Last year they were successful with 5 fledglings the first time. Then momma Bluebird layed another 5 eggs and we watched again, but the male started flying into our windows daily not sure if it was just a territorial thing or for some other reason. Then the morning that I expected the eggs were due to hatch, I went out to look in the box and all the eggs were gone. The momma came back looked in and then left, the same with the daddy. They never came back again. I suspect it was a snake, since there was no trace of any of the eggs. The hole is too small for other birds, racoons, etc. The Bluebirds have not used the nesting box this year.

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2330469)

I take it you’re not member of blue bird society.

Originally Posted by Pondboy (Post 2330549)

No, former Park Ranger that appreciates nature in its pure form.

I guess no one ever heard the phrase…”Don’t feed the animals”.

At the least, I hope there not feeding them crap food like bread and crackers, full of artificial ingredients and preservatives. Ugh ! We shouldn’t even be eating that, let alone the birds.