A rat snake tastes Keith Kridler's camera lens.
Signs of snake predation include: Usually all (possibly some) eggs (egg numbers go down and up over time) or nestlings (especially unfeathered, and those near fledging) suddenly gone, nest intact, female missing, or parents still around, snake found in box. No traces of eggs shells or nestling remains. MAY find snake feces (little round or egg-shaped balls with tightly compressed hair or feathers, usually smaller than a bluebird egg.)
This is most common in the South, and areas where mice are common and near wood edges, and on boxes without snake-proof guards or on fence rows. (Large snakes can get over 24" diameter cone guards).
See guide on Predator and Problem Identification and how to make a snake-proof baffle .
Pictures of bluebirds and other cavity nesters
Previous Pictures of the Week: © Original photographs are copyrighted, and may not be used without the permission of the photographer. Please honor their copyright protection.
June 11, 2006 - Great Crested Flycatcher June 19, 2006 - Snake Lick June 26, 2006 - House Finch Nest July 3, 2006 - Tree Swallow in Flight July 17, 2006 - Bluebird Battle July 24, 2006 - Bear Attack August 1, 2006 - Neglected Nestboxes (House Sparrow nests)August 14, 2006 - Threesome (Bluebird Babes) August 28, 2006 - Peering (flicker) January 2007 - New Hill Trail (Sialis) February 12 2007 - Sharp-shinned? Hawk feeding on dead starling February 19, 2007 - Joe's Cafe (Suet/Mealworm Feeder) March 25, 2007 - Sunflower Eater February 2007 - Snags & Suet (Pileated Woodpeckers) May 2007 - Birdcam Shots and Birdcam Photo Album May 12, 2007 - Carolina Wren nest in a boot May 25, 2007 - Batman Bird (Tree Swallows)
June 2007 - Bluebird nest of cattails, one with leaves, and a TRES nest with maple seeds
June 20, 2007 - Nine Egger (Tree Swallow nest) June 27, 2007 - Black-capped Chickadees (funny and serious photos) July 7, 2007 - Anting and Sunbathing Red-shouldered Hawk perching on nestbox November 18, 2007 - Western Bluebirds at the Spa March 15, 2008 - Under Construction - Eastern Bluebirds Building a Nest
April 9, 2008 - Bluebird Battle in PA April 10, 2008 - Mouse Surprise April 15, 2008 - Bluebird News (nest in paper box) April 23, 2008 - My personal nightmare April 25, 2008 - Brave White-breasted Nuthatch May 3, 2008 - Newborn Blue (baby hatching) May 3, 2008 - Brave Blue (female on nest) May 14, 2008 - House Wren Havoc (eggs pecked) May 25, 2008 - House Wren Takeover (of nest, more pecked eggs) May 29, 2008 - Take Your Pick (parents feeding fledgling) June 10, 2008 - That Look Belongs in a Holster (female MOBL)
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