A woman near Lake Stevens has a pair of chestnut-backed chickadees successfully raise five chicks in a nest box until four days ago. One after another, each of the chicks has died.

The chicks were fully feathered, almost ready to fledge. There was no indication of insect infestation ane the next box was not violated or invaded by anything. The nest box did not get over heated, nor were there any other stressors.

Both of the parents are in good health and brought food to the nest every 8 to 10 minutes all day. On the last day, the last living chick refused to eat the food that was brought by the adults.

I have never seen an entire brood suddenly die without apparent cause before and cannot think of a possible reason.
Has anyone had this experience this year, or any year?

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Russell Link
District Wildlife Biologist
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
16018 Mill Creek Blvd.
Mill Creek, WA 98012

(425) 775-1311 ext. 110
linkrel at dfw.wa.gov
http://wdfw.wa.gov