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Wordless Wednesday…Houston, We Have a Problem

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Home Stager

Wordless Wednesday…Houston, We Have a Problem

 

It’s not really a problem but more of a conundrum. Last week I shared a photo of the 3 bluebird eggs in our bird box. 

 

If mama keeps her bluebird schedule, she would lay one egg for the next 1 or 2 days...giving us a brood or 4 or 5. She then begins the incubation period which lasts on average 11-13 days. 

We’ve had something happen in our bluebird box that is odd…we’ve never seen it. 

After laying the 3 eggs…bupkus, nada, nichts. We’ve observed mom and dad bluebird going into the box and rearranging the pine needles that make up the nest. However, she has not been sitting on them. 

We then noticed her bringing in more pine needles and attempting to cover the existing eggs. 

 

Monday the camera showed just two eggs in the box!  There is a baffle on the pole that protects the nest from predators (snakes) and mom and dad are good about scaring off other birds. What happened to the other egg??? Were all three buried under more pine needles and the two we see are freshly laid??

 

 

Then today…the camera showed 3 eggs again!!!!  And mom is now sitting on the eggs. 

Research says that the mom could have determined that the eggs were no longer viable. Instead of removing the eggs, they will sometimes build on top of the eggs and lay more. 

 

I have no idea what’s going to happen but we’ll keep watching!



Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(19)

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy,
Well, that's certainly a mystery worth watching! Let us know how that goes.

Mar 05, 2025 04:41 AM
Kathy Streib

Carol Williams all I can say is Thank Goodness for Google. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:16 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Kathy... that is certainly a conundrum! Let's just hope that some of these eggs will hatch.

Mar 05, 2025 04:42 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker We've been caring for the birds since 2019 and this was a first for us. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:17 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - ah, nature and avian behavior.  Believe me, like so many things in everyday life, there is much I need to learn.  

Mar 05, 2025 04:46 AM
Kathy Streib

Michael Jacobs trust me, I know more about birds than I ever thought I would, and still no very little. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:18 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

After those three eggs hatch and the birds fly off, you will know for sure. I bet the first three eggs were no good for some reason, and the bird knew. Strange!

Mar 05, 2025 04:53 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti I think you're right. I have no idea how birds know that. When we were in FL, a peahen laid 14 eggs under our bush. She sat and sat and then they began to smell. I read all I could and called a few places. and we decided to remove the eggs the next time she left the nest. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:20 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Aww, poor mama was waiting for a miracle Kathy Streib 

Mar 06, 2025 05:05 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. Well you have my full attention now to follow what is going on. As for predators, the word must be out that Monster Larry does not allow them in houses he is attending. So it is still a mystery. Enjoy your day.

Mar 05, 2025 04:58 AM
Kathy Streib

Wayne Martin you have no idea!!!  I think the snow and freeze we had has an impact on wildlife and the plants. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:21 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Gee, wonder what this means? Look forward to the updates Kathy!

Mar 05, 2025 05:36 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 I'll keep you up to date. I'm glad Larry put a camera in the bird box. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:21 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, you know better than me, so I won't attempt to make a guess, haha.  When I want to know something these days, I ask Grok, haha.

Mar 05, 2025 05:58 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Brian England a 4th egg was laid today so we shall see. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:24 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Is it possible that one was say stolen by another EVIL bird, then mom came back and lay another egg? 

Mar 05, 2025 06:10 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty that could happen with a brown headed cowbird but if they did go into the nest, they would lay a cowbird egg and then leave. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:25 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

We all await with baited breath to see the results of this mystery.

Mar 05, 2025 08:14 AM
Kathy Streib

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 mother nature never fails to surprise and impress us. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:26 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy and is this normal time for bluebirds to lay eggs?  Interesting to hear what is happening to the eggs.

 

Mar 05, 2025 10:02 AM
Kathy Streib

Will Hamm it is indeed the nesting season!!!

Mar 05, 2025 05:27 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

How interesting Kathy.  I had no idea about covering up the eggs if they're not viable and then laying more.  Kind of make sense tho....in a way.  Look forward to your update.

Mar 05, 2025 10:31 AM
Kathy Streib

Anna "Banana" Kruchten I had to "Google" it!!! I'd never heard of it but we watched her on camera covering up the eggs. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:28 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy that is very odd, and you may never really know what is going on.

Mar 05, 2025 11:12 AM
Kathy Streib

George Souto we think we saw a little blue egg under some of the nesting material but it's hard to see. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:29 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Whatever the outcome, I can't think of a better couple to be watching over them!

Mar 05, 2025 12:48 PM
Kathy Streib

Sharon Tara LOL at least this year Larry didn't have to run out every 4 hours and place hand warmers under the nest. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:30 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

The case of the vanishing egg! Should we dial up the Egg Police, or are they too scrambled to help? Hopefully, we won’t be stuck waiting 24 hours before they crack the case and get cracking into action! I hope this mystery will have a happy ending!

Mar 05, 2025 01:55 PM
Kathy Streib

Aura Alex look at you!!! You are giving Michael Jacobs a run for his word-smithery money!!!!  It's hard to check because the eggs are about the size of a Peanut M&M!  The camera is helpful. 

Mar 05, 2025 05:31 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Kathy:

That certainly is a mystery, but presumably Mama Bluebird knows what she is doing. Keep us posted.

Jeff

Mar 05, 2025 02:28 PM
Kathy Streib

Jeff Dowler, CRS I wonder how they know an egg isn't viable!!! How would you study that???

Mar 05, 2025 05:32 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Kathy Streib Maybe she buried it for a time and then brought it back to the light - who knows .. Keep us up to date 

Mar 05, 2025 04:56 PM
Kathy Streib

Hannah Williams that might be!!!  We have another egg in one of our boxes at the Preserve where we walk!

Mar 05, 2025 05:33 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Kathy Streib   female indecisiveness exists in the birds as well.

Mar 05, 2025 07:11 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

What a conundrum!! I agree with Kat Palmiotti I'll bet the mother knew the first three were not right..they have that 6th sense. I've heard they do build in top of eggs but I guess we won't know until they poke their heads out of the eggs and fly away! This is fascinating ....keep us updated!

Mar 05, 2025 07:28 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I love that you have one of these. I want one too! Love watching nature.

Mar 12, 2025 06:19 PM