Inconspicuous Bluebird Habits

The chickadees never came back after storming the bluebird nest. Whatever that was about, the quiet bluebirds have prevailed. To observe their comings and goings requires careful watching, though. They are nothing like the boastful house wrens about their nest. Perhaps because they are less aggressive, bluebirds must also be less conspicuous. I like that. The Quakers and the Mennonites of the bird world. They call no attention to themselves, and live their peaceful lives without rancor.

All last week (Mar 28-Apr 3)both bluebirds came and went from the house silently at intervals, often perching nearby---she, looking quite fat at the beginning of the week. Noticing that she got thin again by week's end, I'm guessing she laid her eggs throughout the week. Today, after my four-day absence in Savannah w/family, I see his blue back at the house often. He comes to the doorway with a morsel in his mouth and either enters to stay briefly, or only pokes his head in before flying off. She often sits at length with head poking out of doorway, and sometimes leaves for short times. She is certainly egg-sitting. Wish I had nerve to open the house to count the eggs when I know they are both gone. I'm afraid they won't come back if they see me investigating too closely.

If the eggs were all laid by April 4 (Easter Sunday) I may be lucky enough to be here for the day of the fledge. Two weeks for incubation and hatching. Two more weeks for feeding nestlings. By my calculations they won't fledge until May 1st or later. Halleluia. I return from a two week writing retreat on April 26th. Fledge day is nothing less than thrilling. I don't want to miss it. dkm