Post by msfish on Aug 17, 2021 18:59:49 GMT
I'm new to birdhouses. Last year I was gifted a wren house. It was decorative and I put it under the eves of my front porch on a square pillar (as my friend had done) with success. Long story, first round of babies eaten by a snake. Thought it was a fluke. I caught the snake a let it go. I cleaned the house out and another couple came, and on Aug 6th I heard peeping. At last, another chance. But....I wasn't prepared for another round of attack. Woke up early (few days ago) to see a snake head sticking out of my birdhouse. I got a plastic container, put the birdhouse in it until the snake came out. Removed birdhouse and DROVE the snake miles away. But it regurgitated its meal in the meantime. Mom and 2 babies.. but meanwhile the birdhouse was sitting out to be cleaned by me.....I heard peeping. OMG one had survived! Frantically I took it and reinstalled it. Dad came and continued to feed it and still is. I did order the dreadful bird netting. I don't care. I have to protect the one and it was quick. I'm on my porch a lot and will remove the snake and take it somewhere else. So far so good. My question is, this baby is alone in the nest. It's not coming to the entry to greet the dad like I'd expect (at this age) and saw the first time. I'm worried something may be wrong with it. It's about 12-13 days old roughly (sounds very mature). Dad's bringing in big food and leaving with big poop. Could this baby be trapped? Is that odd not to see or hear it moving around? No like flapping wings or movement, only chirps and dad goes all the way in the house to feed it. I want to look in but can't see much because I can only see through the entry hole. I thought about the mites too. Like all those mites went to this poor survivor.
lessons learned:
I'll never install a birdhouse on my home or tree
I'll always use a baffle to protect my birds
I'll will never use a birdhouse I can't "see" into or "get" into
I will modify the one I have so the A frame top is on a hinge so I can lift and view
Amen
So glad you have one little one left and dad is sticking around to raise him. At least we dont have that problem in the UK snakes thats is! Yikes 
If dad is feeding regularly and taking poop away then I wouldnt be too worried, my chicks only came to the nest box entrance hole on a day or two before fledging, Im sure he will start peeping through soon as the time gets nearer to him fledging 
. Goodluck to him, have you any photos be nice to see.