Just found a dead female bluebird on her nest in my box; hadn't seen
her for six days; male last seen yesterday morning -- he apparently
has abandoned territory. Would an autopsy determine death cause
(pesticide?)?  The female should have had a brood by now.

Greetings!

According to the American Bird Conservancy, if pesticides are
suspected of being involved in the bird's demise, you need to contact
the nearest US Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement office.

I hope you find this information helpful.  



Links of interest

American Bird Conservancy
Birds and Pesticides Campaign
http://www.abcbirds.org/pesticides/FAQs.htm#howcani

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Directory
http://offices.fws.gov/


Search terms

poisoned+birds

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Clarification of Answer by madsky101-ga on 17 Jun 2002 13:52 PDT

Hello again!

I feel I need to clarify that the US Fish and Wildlife Service Law
Enforcement office will run the necessary tests to determine cause of
death.

Thank you so much and I hope this information will help you to help
our little feathered friends.

Dear Jim79,

I would highly reccommend taking the bird to a veterinarian.  They
have the tools and skills to figure this out for you. Additionally,
you should handle the bird carefully, with gloves, so as not to infect
yourself with any possible contagions.

Sincerely,

mechante -ga

We've seen dead bluebirds in Acton, MA, USA. Sadly, this is not
uncommon. The local bluebird recovery program staff has told me this
can happen for a number of reasons, including: starvation after
parents driven off by swallows (and sometimes babies killed by
swallows), drowning in wet nests, insect-borne diseases, and other
reasons. The high mortality rate among bluebirds is one of the
challenges in helping them recover.

I doubt pesticides are the cause of mortality, though I certainly
can't say for certain.  What I suggest is more likely the cause is
European House Sparrows.  They are an aggressive exotic species that
commonly kills and occupies wren and bluebird boxes; they'll even
construct nests right on top of the dead body.  (If the body was in
the box for a couple of days look for paper, string, and other
non-vegetative material in the nest.  It's use is diagnostic of House
Sparrows.)  House Sparrows are most common in suburban areas where
people put out nest boxes.  I don't know the landscape context of your
home, but if it's in town, think House Sparrow first.  If you're
outside of town in a rural area, then you might think pesticide or
some other cause.

One additional note: the male Bluebird would not likely abandon a good
nest location due to the mortality of his mate.  He would continue to
advertise and try to draw in another unmated female.