Everything You Should Know About Bluebirds

As early as February you can hear the male bluebirds’ beautiful song. He sings to attract a female and in early March he shows her the nesting sites he has chosen. He also sings to warn other male bluebirds to stay away. The female bluebird builds the nest using pine needles, grass, horse hair, etc.

Next, she lays from three to six light blue eggs, they will hatch from twelve to fourteen days later within hours of each other. Now the male bluebird pitches in to help feed the young, at first only with soft insects and caterpillars, later they will also enjoy grasshoppers and crickets. The nestlings grow rapidly, opening their eyes about the eighth day and showing signs of pin feathers by day twelve. In 17-18 days, they are ready to fledge (leave the nest).

Do Bluebirds Hibernate?

Yes, bluebirds do hibernate. When nesting season is over from September to October, bluebirds tend to flock together. Some will migrate to warmer southern states but some will stay in their home habitat if provided with food and shelter. They roost together in large pine trees, hollow trees, and bluebird houses to survive the cold winter.

Without the help of man, bluebirds couldn’t thrive in today’s world due to a shortage of nesting cavities. Bluebirds that cannot find a suitable cavity will not raise a family. In addition to the loss of natural habitat, the bluebird must also compete with the aggressive European starling and the House Sparrow – both aliens which were introduced in the 1800s. We can help by providing nesting boxes with holes too small for the starling but still large enough for a bluebird

Which Animals Prey on the Bluebird?

The bluebird has a lot of enemies, being a small bird that is not that strong, it does put the bird at a slight disadvantage. Some of the bluebirds enemies include the raccoon, Eastern ratsnake, domestic and feral cats, opossums, weasels, skunks, and Sparrows.

There are some ways to protect the bluebirds from some of the animals mentioned above including birdhouses. There are Sparrow resistant bluebird houses available if you live in an area that is over-run by Sparrows. Most of which can be kept from the nest by using baffles and guards.v

Bluebirds are susceptible to insecticides, Bluebirds feed off the ground and will take the poisoned bugs to their babies, this generally kills them. Tree swallows are the opposite, they are hardly ever affected by insecticides because they eat only flying insects.

How to Attract Bluebirds

Other birds that may also nest in bluebird houses are tree swallows and House Wrens. Bluebirds and tree swallows can be good neighbors if there are enough nesting boxes available. Place houses about 20’ apart facing slightly towards each other to eliminate competition.

Tips for Attracting Bluebirds

• Keep the bluebird house in an open habitat.
• Provide perching places close to their nests.
• Supply them with mealworms & berries.
• Clean and repair bluebird houses annually.

Best Birdhouses to Attract Bluebirds

Once you get your bluebird house, the next step is to install it and enjoy it!