Eastern Bluebird - (Sialia sialis)
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Bluebird Family Business Gallery
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This past summer we
watched a pair of bluebirds going about the business of
raising a family. After several birdhouses, both old and
new, had been examined, it was time to build the nest in
the selected box (an old familiar and much used home).
Last winter's dry pine needles are a good start.
After the eggs hatched in
private, the nestlings were continuously hungry. Both
parents gathered insects and worms from everywhere in
our yard. The nestlings were not picky eaters. Soon the
young fledglings were flying and had quickly become very
adept at avoiding cameras. We're just glad to have a
healthy family of new bluebird juveniles.
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Once again the
bluebirds have come to check out the birdhouses
as the weather gets colder in November. They are
usually seen in pairs (this year 2011-two
distinct couples). We have noticed over the
years that they seem to wait for a sunny day to
go house hunting. |
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December
2, 2010 - A pair of bluebirds came calling today. They
spent the morning flying around and peeking in their
favorite summer bird houses. Taking turns sitting on the
garden fence, that only had a few dismal winter corn
stalks and cabbages that no one - human, critter or bird
had an appetite to eat. While the bluebirds are year
round creatures in our upstate NY backyard, it is always
a treat to see them - in summer and especially on these
cold days, when it isn't even full winter yet.
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July
30,2010 - A bluebird mama with her mouth full of goodies
for her babies pauses on the garden fence (really an
unused dog kennel) that surrounds our small 10 x10 foot
patch of vegetable plants. Last year we lost most of our
seeds and plants due to excessive enthusiasm of our yard
critters - probably woodchucks, rabbits and deer. The
kennel aka the garden fence worked surprisingly well,
since we didn't object to bird snackers.
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In January 2009 we put up several bird houses, hoping
to catch a glimpse of avian family life. In truth,
we wanted to have bluebirds pick our yard so we could
feel we were doing our part to help protect these
adorable birds. In January 2009 we put up several bird
houses, hoping to catch a glimpse of avian family life.
In truth, we wanted to have bluebirds pick our yard so
we could feel we were doing our part to help protect
these adorable birds.
We had put a bird box on each of two old wash line posts. The male
bluebird started house hunting in February. After his mate joined in the
search, the pair spent all of March and half of April checking and
rechecking each house. By mid April a pair of tree swallows took over
one box after doing their own checking and rechecking. So,
decision made - second post it is.
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We were greatly entertained and kept
ourselves almost as busy with our camera work as both
pairs were with nest building and guard duty.
Mid May brought renewed territorial
fighting. A second tree swallow pair challenged
the sitting pair and into the mix, a very aggressive
house sparrow started bullying the goldfinches for
feeder time. It wasn't long before he took an
interest in both occupied bird houses. The tree swallows
swooped and dive bombed to protect their nest.
I'm very sad to say that by the next
day, three bluebird eggs were smashed on the ground, the
bluebird pair was gone from our yard, and the house
sparrow was busy redesigning the inside of their nest
box.
We'll put up more nest boxes next year
and hope to make a happier bluebird habitat.
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December 5, 2008 - Food Guy was
pleased to see another bluebird this late in the year.
After grabbing the camera and returning to his office
door to capture this moment in time, he expected to see,
a single bird. Last year we had put a birdhouse on each
of two old wash line posts. Surprise!
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| Sitting on each of these houses were
two male bluebirds. And then there were four. There was
a lot of peeking inside the entrances to see if we had
cozy enough shelter. Testing out our lawn's all you can
eat buffet, were two more. Apparently these six male
bluebirds were searching for warm nest boxes to spend
cold December nights (and a quick all-natural snack). |
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| November 9, 2008 - The last
time we took a photo of a bluebird was the end of July.
So, I thought Food
Guy was seeing things when he said he saw one in early
November 2008. A couple of days later, a beautiful
bluebird was trying to drink from our leaf covered pond.
We had pulled and cleaned the pump and bubbler in
anticipation of winterizing the backyard. Much fresher
sources of water surround us. Anyway, the opportunity to
take pictures was priceless. |
Bluebird in Pond - November 9, 2008 |
| It seems that the bluebird has
a very similar seasonal and territorial situation as the
song sparrow. Lucky us, that one stopped by to quench
his thirst and say hello. |
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| Size: |
Length: 7 in
Weight: 1.1 oz
Wingspan: 13 in |
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ID:
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Male: Blue head and upperparts (not
pigmented blue; shiny blue produced by iridescence and duller
blue by same process that makes the sky appear blue); reddish
brown breast, throat, breast and flanks; white belly and
undertail; brownish bill short and pointed; black feet
anisodactylous (three toes point forward and one toe points
backward)
Female: Bluish gray upperparts; pale chestnut throat, breast
and flanks; light blue wings, rump and tail; white eye-ring
Juvenile: Similar to female; grayish brown upperparts
with white markings; scallops of white on brown breast instead
of red; always has some blue on wings and tail |
| Habitat: |
Open countryside, agricultural areas,
woodland; large lawns, roadsides, cemeteries and golf courses |
| Diet: |
Insects (swoops down from perch to catch
flying prey and forage ground for invertebrates);
fruit (especially cherries); feeders for peanut butter and cornmeal mix; raisins, mealworms
or commercial seed mix for bluebirds
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| Family Behavior: |
Mating Habits: Monogamous and in pairs or
small groups; males return in spring a week or so before
females; young of first brood help raise next brood; 2-3 broods
per year
Local Breeding Period: Mid-March to early April
Nests: Female builds nest of weeds, twigs, grass, and sometimes
feathers and hair in cavities abandoned by woodpeckers or
nesting boxes
Eggs: 2-7 plain pale blue; female incubates 12-14 days
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless, naked, eyes closed) and
stay in nest 15-21 days; fed by both parents |
| Social
Activities: |
Found in pairs, family
groups and small flocks in mating season; large flocks formed
for communal roosting in natural cavities or nest boxes at night
and in colder weather |
| Range: |
Breeding: East of the Rockies and southeast
Canada
Winter: Some migration in the north to southeastern US |
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Vocalization: |
Song is warbling tur, turrlee or chur,
churlee; male call a mellow trulee or trualee |
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Lifestyle: |
8-10 years |
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