Attract Bluebirds To Your Backyard

(Back to Duncraft.com Home Page)

Bluebirds are, without question, one of the most beautiful and desired of backyard birds. They can be found all across the country, and their names correspond to the region in which they are found; Eastern, Mountain and Western.  Each differ somewhat in appearance and song, but they are all equally breathtaking and also prefer similar habitats.  Because they are insect eaters, mainly feeding on ground dwelling insects, they prefer open areas such as parks, orchards, pastures and cemetaries where it is easier to spot their food.

Although bluebirds are now making a comeback, there was a time when their numbers had seriously declined. The Eastern bluebird nearly became extinct. Many birders attribute this to loss of habitat and competition for nesting sites from starlings and house sparrows. But many others cite different reasons, namely several severe, late spring blizzards occuring in the late 1800's and early 1900's which froze thousands of birds in the east and south and cut off water and food supplies. Most likely a combination of many events over a period of time contributed to the declining numbers of bluebirds.

Bluebird enthusiasts have always been interested in preserving this beautiful bird.  During the 1920's to the present, the design of proper bluebird housing was perfected to ensure the birds were protected from parasitic infestations and predators.  The concept of a bluebird trail was introduced in the 1920's as well, which consisted of a series of nesting boxes placed at intervals along local roads and farms. This eventually evolved into the National Bluebird Trail, originating in 1945. Although preservation was gaining interest, bluebirds nationwide probably experienced their lowest numbers ever in the early 1960's.  In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed and the Eastern bluebird was listed as a bird of special concern. The Mountain and Western bluebirds were suggested additions.  In 1978, The North American Bluebird Society (NABS) was established and continues to be an excellent source of information and research for the preservation of these birds.

What can you do to attract bluebirds and also participate in their conservation?  Putting up nesting boxes is the first step in attracting these beauties.  The house should be mounted anywhere from 5 to 15 feet from the ground, preferably on a pole, with the opening facing away from prevailing winds.  A canister type pole baffle to deter predators from below is strongly recommended.  Ideally the house should be situated at the edge of a meadow or field or other open terrain.  Entrance holes should be 1 1/2" for Eastern bluebirds and 1 9/16" for Mountain and Western bluebirds. This size opening discourages starlings from entering or building nests. Good ventilation and drainage are important, and most houses have a raised wire platform inside to prevent parasites, particularly the blowfly, from infesting the young.  If you choose to put up more than one house, make sure they are at least 300 feet apart.  Monitor the box on a regular basis. Watch for house sparrows that readily take up residence before the bluebirds do, and remove their nests as they are built. Most bluebird houses are equipped with some means to open the box without disturbing the nestlings. Check frequently for signs of parasites or predator activity.  Contrary to belief, checking on the nest will not cause the parent birds to abandon it. For more information on housing and many other topics concerning bluebirds, visit the NABS website.

Feeding bluebirds is an excellent way to observe young fledglings and their parents and also eases their stress of continuously searching for food. Bluebirds love mealworms, either live or roasted.  Offer them in a platform feeder or one designed especially for mealworms.  Bluebird "Nuggets" are also welcomed and contain beef suet, grain, peanuts and raisins. And be sure to add a birdbath or some other source of fresh water.  Bluebirds are especially fond of water and will use a birdbath frequently.

With a properly maintained nest box or two, a morning feeding of mealworms and suet Nuggets offered during the day, it's likely you will treated to the sights and sounds of bluebirds year after year.

(Back to Duncraft.com Home Page)

• Posted at Friday, February 1, 2008 02:32 PM
• In Wild Bird Feeding Category | Permalink