Dead Birds From Bird Box

[ftm 3,357]

this might be hard to believe lads but great tits [murder tit] is also known to prey on its smaller cousin the blue tits chicks so that could be the culprit

[stealthy1 3,964]

We've just had 3 days of rain here, and our tits have been hammering the bird table or fat balls. I put this down to the rain washing the insects away, and caterpillars. If a chick dies in the nest the parents will throw it out to keep the nest clean. Check the crop of the chicks and you'll know if they are being fed or not.

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

My money is on a woodpecker,seen them do it to starling chicks in a hole below their own .Actually watched it happen from a high seat nearby .Never killed them but dragged them out and dropped them .

[Nik_B 3,791]

I did take a look to see if there was any damage and there are a couple of chips or scratches that weren't there but I guess that might have been caused by the tits going in and out? We do have a dell/wood that follows a river at the bottom of our garden I imagine it's would suit woodpeckers.

 

Thanks for all the replies this has been educational to say the least, I just assumed they would be safe in a bird box. The wife said she heard them this morning so some have survived.

[keepitcovert 842]

My money is on a woodpecker,seen them do it to starling chicks in a hole below their own .Actually watched it happen from a high seat nearby .Never killed them but dragged them out and dropped them .

Seen exactly the same thing it just dragged one out and dropped it, dont know if it sees it as its territory being invaded.