 During the last 60 years,
bluebird numbers have decreased 90 percent in the
eastern United States. There are four reasons for
the decline:
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The widespread use of
insecticides decreases food supplies. |
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Severe winters increase
winter mortality. |
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Changing agricultural
practices create well-trimmed orchards
with no cavity trees for nest sites. |
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Exotic species competing for
remaining nest sites make nesting even
more difficult. |
Finding suitable
nest sites is perhaps the most severe problem the
bluebird faces today. Allowing trees to mature
and develop natural cavities takes too long. A
much quicker solution is to provide man-made
wooden bluebird
houses. When bluebird houses are placed in
good areas, bluebird populations increase
rapidly.
Put bluebird houses up by the end of February in
areas around open fields, pastures, golf courses,
cemeteries, gardens and large lawns which provide
excellent bluebird habitat. These areas usually
provide plenty of insects to eat. Avoid areas
where insecticides are used heavily for two
reasons:
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Insects, a favorite bluebird
food, are reduced, and the birds have
trouble finding enough to eat. |
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The insects left are usually
covered with insecticide. Bluebirds may
be poisoned when they eat these insects. |
Place houses 4 to
6 feet above the ground and 50 to 100 yards
apart. Face the houses to the south or southeast,
if possible. Try to select places where trees,
shrubs, utility wires or fences are within 25 to
100 feet of the houses. Bluebirds use these
structures for perches when feeding. These
perches are also helpful to young birds during
their first flights.
If houses are located near woods and brush piles,
other species of birds, such as chickadees,
titmice, nuthatches, and wrens, will use the
bluebird houses. These species, like the
bluebird, are welcome additions to the area and
should not be discouraged from using the bird
house. These birds are also helpful in
controlling insect populations. It may be
possible to get a bluebird to nest in the same
area by placing another house about 10 to 20 feet
from the one the other bird is using.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern
Bluebirds can be found east of the Rockies,
throughout the eastern United States and Canada,
and down to central Mexico. Some populations are
year-round residents, but others migrate to more
southerly latitudes for the winter. Eastern
Bluebirds are found in suburban and rural
habitats containing sparse vegetation and
scattered trees or other perches. They typically
nest in fields, meadows, and orchards, avoiding
both densely wooded and congested residential
areas. The breeding season begins anytime from
mid-March to early April.
Mount Eastern
Bluebird Houses so the entrance hole is
approximately five feet above the ground. If
possible, face the house away from prevailing
winds and facing towards a tree or shrub which is
within 100 feet of the house. Trees and shrubs
provide a landing spot for the young bluebirds
when they first leave the house. This will keep
them off the ground, away from predators. Eastern
Bluebird Houses should be spaced at least 100 to
150 yards apart.
Mountain Bluebird
Mountain
Bluebirds are found in the western parts of
Canada and the United States. They are found at
elevations above 5,000 feet, and they nest in
open areas such as meadows, hayfields, grain
fields, savannas, prairies, clear cuts, and the
edges of coniferous and deciduous forests. The
beginning of the breeding season varies with
latitude; birds in the southern portion of the
range begin in early April, birds in northern
latitudes begin in late May. Mountain Bluebirds
reuse old nest sites both within a breeding
season and in successive breeding seasons. Pairs
that successfully raise a brood in a nest box may
become faithful to that particular type of nest
box. First-year breeding birds tend to nest in
boxes identical to their natal box.
Mount Mountain
Bluebird Houses so the entrance hole is
approximately five feet above the ground. If
possible, face the house away from prevailing
winds and facing towards a tree or shrub which is
within 100 feet of the house. Trees and shrubs
provide a landing spot for the young bluebirds
when they first leave the house. This will keep
them off the ground, away from predators.
Mountain Bluebird Houses should be spaced at
least 300 yards apart.
Western Bluebird
Western
Bluebirds can be found in the Southwest and all
along the West Coast of the United States. This
species is generally residential but moves to
lower elevations for the winter months. Western
Bluebirds breed in open habitats with scattered
trees, such as farmland, orchards, and the edges
of open coniferous and deciduous forests. Their
breeding season can begin anytime from early
April to early May.
Mount Western
Bluebird Houses so the entrance hole is
approximately five feet above the ground. If
possible, face the house away from prevailing
winds and facing towards a tree or shrub which is
within 100 feet of the house. Trees and shrubs
provide a landing spot for the young bluebirds
when they first leave the house. This will keep
them off the ground, away from predators. Western
Bluebird Houses should be spaced at least 300
yards apart.
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