Bird of the Week: The Bluebird of Happiness

A re-post, at a reader's request -

The Eastern Bluebird is always a sight for sore eyes, and apparently their numbers are recovering from a decline. Their recovery is in part because of human assistance with Bluebird houses.

In New England, this weekend is a good time to put up new nest boxes, and to clean out the old ones.

You won't see Bluebirds often in denser suburbia because they are partial to good-sized fields, large lawns (ie over 4 acres), and edges. They like open country. At the farm, we have about 15 Bluebird houses up on snake-proof poles. Half the houses are usually taken over by Tree Swallows, some are filled with sticks by House Wrens, and our cheerful Bluebirds use the rest of them.

In New England, Bluebirds are semi-migratory, and can sometimes be seen in winter flocks, foraging widely for fruits and berries.

The CLO entry of the Eastern Bluebird here.

Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation, Our Essays at 11:50 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)

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The blue bird out here in Idaho(I quess that's the western blue bird:) ) was one of my aunt's favorite birds. I remember them as a kid, but then they declined. The good news is they are making something of a comeback out west here, too.

#1 bob on 2008-03-19 12:25 (Reply)

I saw a bluebird on my deck, today, which is nr. some woods, in suburban Maryland, but only after my cats alerted me to his/her presence! What a beautiful sight and seemingly a good omen since I lost my job 5 wks. ago, but have a job offer coming!

#1.1 Jorie on 2008-03-21 21:15 (Reply)

We have em high in MT too! Love these little ones! Usually come down for the early spring and then disappear, but last year a few stayed around through the whole summer!

#2 apple pie on 2008-03-19 14:24 (Reply)

Truly a beautiful bird one of my favorites. Have had them at my feeder all winter, usually see them only in the spring;I don't know why , but I'm not complaining.

#3 jappy on 2008-03-19 15:51 (Reply)

Ment to put in N.H.

#3.1 jappy on 2008-03-19 16:01 (Reply)

Re House Wrens

Every year, Chickadees come and start putting in their nest, and the House Wrens come along a literally rip and spit it out of our bird house. Then, we get two hatchings of wrens, which makes for very pretty noise.

One year, somehow, the chickadees managed to get the house and we had a hatching of chickadees. So cute, the day they came out of the house -- perching in our shrubs, trying to find their legs.

We have never seen the wrens come out.

#4 D on 2010-04-23 12:45 (Reply)

House Wrens commonly fill every bird house and crevice in the neighborhood with sticks without using them as nests. A territorial thing. They will use one, and stuff the others.

#4.1 Bird Dog on 2010-04-23 12:50 (Reply)

No bluebirds [of Happiness, or otherwise] around here. But I do love the little darlings. We do, however, have our annual spring doves, moaning and carrying on at a great rate, trying to find mates. The air is filled with cooing and an occasional swear word.

Things will probably settle down.

Marianne

#5 Marianne Matthews on 2010-04-23 13:12 (Reply)

I had one of those simple houses like the first one, top-left. Squirrels trashed it. Nasty critters those squirrels.

Can't recall seeing a blue bird around my neck of the woods. Being associated with the sales portion of the world of business I tend to believe blue birds are a myth.

Fortunately I have My Osprey, yet again, to devote my bird ogling time to. Apparently the nest the had to completely rebuild last year was done properly 'cause it stood solid as a rock through a tough winter and the pair didn't seem to have to put as much effort into spring rebuilding this year.

Another week or two ought to bring forth the ospring.

#6 Knucklehead (Link) on 2010-04-23 14:34 (Reply)

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Friday, April 23. 2010

Bird of the Week: The Bluebird of Happiness