Dead tits in the nest box- a cause for concern?
Death is part of life. Natural selection also rules in nature. Accordingly, it is not surprising that too weak brood does not survive the first few years. If you find dead tits when emptying the nesting box in summer, this is a shame, but it shouldn't cause you a headache. It is different when the complete clutch lies dead in the nest. Then one of the following grievances could be to blame.
also read
- Do tits overwinter in the nest box?
- Why is the nest box not accepted?
- The ideal location for a nest box in the garden
Possible causes
- To starve
- Poisoning or virus
Prevent
To starve
There are two possible causes for an undersupply with food:
- too little food supply
- Death of parents
Tits feed mainly on insects. If bad weather prevails over a long period of time or particularly icy temperatures in winter, the population will decrease enormously. Provide the tits with sufficient food in the form of Tit dumplings or a feeding bowl.
Unfortunately, you are powerless against the death of your parents. Not only because you often take no notice of it, but also because it is hardly feasible to raise young tits by hand.
Poisoning or viruses
Migratory birds from the south often bring in diseases. Do these get into the nesting box,(€ 8.99 at Amazon *) Young birds in particular get sick quickly because they have not yet developed a sufficient defense mechanism. You should therefore thoroughly clean your nest box twice a year and remove the residue from abandoned nests. They provide an optimal breeding ground for parasites.
You should also impregnate the nest box to prevent mold from forming due to moisture. Only use environmentally friendly paints for this, because toxic substances can also lead to the death of a tit.
