In January 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.
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.
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!
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:
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Length: 7 in
Weight: 1.1 oz
Wingspan: 13 in |
|
ID:
|
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
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| 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
|
| 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 |
|
Vocalization:
|
Song is warbling tur, turrlee or chur,
churlee; male call a mellow trulee or trualee |
|
Lifestyle: |
8-10 years |
