Bluebirds Are My Favorite
Eastern Bluebird
Photo from Thayer's Birds of North America CD
There are three species of Bluebirds in North America. The Eastern Bluebird is found east of the Great Plains. Western Bluebirds live west of the Great Plains. Mountain Bluebirds are found at elevations above 5,000 feet in the west.
These colorful birds are a favorite with birders because of their bright colors and cheery song.
Bluebird populations declined dramatically during the 1900s as House Sparrows and Starlings took over the preferred nesting spots of the cavity-nesting Bluebirds.
In the 1930s folks in Missouri came up with the idea of a National Bluebird Trail. They erected over 6,000 bluebird boxes. Others also discovered that providing nest boxes would help the Bluebirds recovery.
In 1978 the North American Bluebird Society was formed by Larry Zeleny. This organization promotes the recovery of Bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds.
You can help Bluebirds by creating a Bluebird trail -- a series of nest boxes set out for Bluebirds. The North American Bluebird Society has set up very exacting specifications for the perfect Bluebird nestbox. You can build your own nestboxes or buy a commercially made nestbox.
Habitat is the key factor to consider when installing a Bluebird nestbox. Open rural country with scattered trees and low or sparse ground cover is best. Suitable habitat should include perch sites, such as a fence line, wires, or tree branches where bluebirds may perch to search for food. If bluebirds do not like the habitat, they probably will not use your boxes.
Pastureland, parks away from human traffic, mowed areas such as cemeteries and golf courses are all good locations for a bluebird trail (provided pesticides are not used). Avoid brushy and heavily wooded areas. Place nest boxes 150 yards apart. In the western portion of North America, place them 300 yards apart. Boxes should be 4 to 6 feet above the ground. Mounting them on a 7 foot tall steel fence post works well.
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