Topic: Bird in spotlight #5

[bestofour]

Wrennie, can we discuss eastern bluebirds please.  We have a nest in our bluebird house.  They're hanging out in our trees.

[bestofour]

[Dianna]

I love bluebirds. We see them often around here....

[Wrennie]

Oooh, bluebirds are pretty! I dont see alot here at home, too woodsy. But out on the highway I see them around the fields.


Behavior

Eastern Bluebirds perch erect on wires, posts, and low branches in open country, scanning the ground for prey. They feed by dropping to the ground onto insects or, in fall and winter, by perching on fruiting trees to gulp down berries. Bluebirds commonly use nest boxes as well as old woodpecker holes.

Habitat

Eastern Bluebirds live in meadows and openings surrounded by trees that offer suitable nest holes. With the proliferation of nest boxes and bluebird trails, bluebirds are now a common sight along roads, field edges, golf courses, and other open areas.



from;http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/id

They are a good reason to NOT use insecticides!!

[Penny]

Awwww, this one is so cute and i love the colors!!

[Wrennie]

They are pretty. You have to watch their nest boxes and be sure to evict any house sparrows that move in. Open the box, toss the nest and leave the box open a couple of days till the sparrows move on.
nests;
    

Bluebird: Neat, cup shaped, woven nest of 100% fine grass or pine needles. Occasionally bits of fur or a few feathers and rootlets. Fairly deep nest cup. Eggs are powder blue, sometimes white. NOTE: Western Bluebirds will routinely add ribbons, cellophane, feathers, thin bark and leaves to their nest. Note: Rare open-cup nests were found in surface-mined lands in KY and on oak limbs in SC.
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House Sparrow: Jumble of odds and ends, including coarse grass with seedheads, cloth, white feathers, twigs and sometimes litter. Tall nest, may have tunnel-like entrance. Eggs are cream, white, gray or greenish, with irregular brown speckles.
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Tree Swallow: Nest of grass lined with feathers. May be messy. Flatter cup than bluebirds. Eggs are pure white.
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Black-capped Chickadee: Downy nest of moss, fur, and soft plant fibers. Female may cover eggs with moss when leaving the box.  White eggs with brown speckles.
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Tufted Titmouse: Downy nest of moss, fur, and soft plant fibers. May have many earwigs living in it. White eggs with rose/mauve speckles.
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House Wren: Messy nest of twigs, occasionally lined with fine fibers or feathers. Males may build unlined eggless "dummy nests" in nearby boxes to reduce competition. Tiny glossy white eggs, sometimes tinted with pink/buff, with lots of fine pinkish brown/reddish brown/brown specks that sometimes form a ring on the larger end of the egg.

DO NOT evict any species except the house sparrow. Native species are federally protected. Put up multiple bird houses.

[Wrennie]

Go here to see the nests and eggs >
http://www.sialis.org/basics.htm

[Penny]

Awwww, too cute.

[bestofour]

We've had 1 brood hatch already this year.  Last year we had a total of 3 in our 1 house.  I'll have to check the box today to see if they've started rebuilding.

[bayou girl]

thank you wrennie.  i like looking at them as i drive around.

[Dianna]

We have lots of the Eastern Bluebird hanging around. They are beautiful...

[Tina]

I don't. 

[Wrennie]

Awwww Tina you should have the western Bluebirds!
see;




Is your part of CA on that map as in his range?
Unlike eastern Bluebirds who prefer open meadows, the western prefer forested areas.

[Tina]

I am either off that map or right on the cusp of inactivity. I think off. But if I travel closer to the coast I might be able to spot some. Thank you, Wrennie. Meanwhile I have blue jays for adding blue to my skies. And an occasional mountain jay.