Bluebirds! Season 4. Episode 4. Murder!

Snow

There was no sign of house sparrows as I approached box 5. I knocked on the box. Still no sign. As I pulled open the box, though, a male house sparrow burst out and flew in a wide semi-circle back to the brush. In the box, tangled in the beginnings of a nest, was a dead tree swallow. 

Its head was completely caved in. If I didn't know better, I would accuse the house sparrow of feasting on it while in the box. 

Tree Swallows, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Meanwhile, a pair of tree swallows are dangerously close to another house sparrow favorite, box 14. Here's hoping the sparrows' murderous impulses don't emerge.

In happier news, not one but two complete bluebird nests. Today's new migrant visitors: Eastern Towhee, Bluegray Gnatcatcher, Chipping Sparrow.