bluebirds
Wheezer's Notes:
Bluebirds are the most lovable in the wild bird kingdom. Previously threatened with extinction as their numbers dwindled, the bluebird population is on the rise. The male bluebird is the beauty with his bright blue coloration. The female bluebird is similar in size and shape but with dull, mostly brown coloration.
Bluebirds are not attracted to seed feeders. They primarily eat insects, worms and such. They do like our peanutbutter concoction as you see from the photo below (third from left). You can mix some up for yourself with the suet recipe on our "Food" page. They also like to take baths. Leave out some clean water about 1/2" to 1" deep. On a warm day they will bathe before your eyes, as you can see in the bottom two photos at left.
You can watch them through another way too. They will nest in bluebird boxes that you can erect. After some experience with attracting bluebirds to boxes, I find that the internal dimensions of the box are not so critical but the box needs to be placed at a height greater than is normally recommended. While most sources say place the box at about five to six feet to the entrance hole, I say go to the high side. Place it so that the entrance hole is about seven feet above ground level. Bluebirds will produce a clutch of three to five young in the spring. Often they will raise a second clutch of three to five, later in the same season. Therefore, you should clean out the nesting box after the first clutch has fledged.
Bluebirds are the most lovable in the wild bird kingdom. Previously threatened with extinction as their numbers dwindled, the bluebird population is on the rise. The male bluebird is the beauty with his bright blue coloration. The female bluebird is similar in size and shape but with dull, mostly brown coloration.
Bluebirds are not attracted to seed feeders. They primarily eat insects, worms and such. They do like our peanutbutter concoction as you see from the photo below (third from left). You can mix some up for yourself with the suet recipe on our "Food" page. They also like to take baths. Leave out some clean water about 1/2" to 1" deep. On a warm day they will bathe before your eyes, as you can see in the bottom two photos at left.
You can watch them through another way too. They will nest in bluebird boxes that you can erect. After some experience with attracting bluebirds to boxes, I find that the internal dimensions of the box are not so critical but the box needs to be placed at a height greater than is normally recommended. While most sources say place the box at about five to six feet to the entrance hole, I say go to the high side. Place it so that the entrance hole is about seven feet above ground level. Bluebirds will produce a clutch of three to five young in the spring. Often they will raise a second clutch of three to five, later in the same season. Therefore, you should clean out the nesting box after the first clutch has fledged.
The Eastern Bluebird is the state bird for the States of Missouri and New York. The Mountain Bluebird is the state bird for the States of Nevada and Idaho.
Range: Current bluebird range information is
at USGS Patuxent Bird Identification Center
More Information About Bluebirds:
Best link for more information
Our Photos of Bluebirds:
