Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis

This bluebird was checking out a nesting box. It sat on this hook watching the box, then would fly over to it, peek in, leave, and repeat. Finally, it decided the box was worthy and brought a single twig into it. Last year, bluebirds nested in this same box, but another bird came in and killed the bluebird, then made its own nest on top of the dead bird. Opening up the box at the end of the season to clean it out was so disgusting and sad. I hope the bluebirds can survive and defend their nest this year.

Habitat: Rural yard

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

How cool to experience the very start of nest building. Hope it ends in a happy story this time. And beautiful photo and individual, it looks healthy and proud. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, it was neat. Hopefully it can make it. The one last year had its head pecked in. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Sad as it is, they can't all make it. Young birds are dying in bigger numbers than usual here because their parents can't feed them. Those that rely on rain worms that is. One, there is hardly any rain. Two, much worse...the level of ground water is so low that when the birds peck the grass, the rain worms won't come to the surface. They're too low.
    
    And the low level of ground water is a direct result of last year's absurd summer. Tropical temperatures for months, nothing I have ever seen in my 4 decades.
    
    We live in strange times. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Wow, that's sad! We have had a lot of rain here lately (at least, in my opinion). Every day in the past week or so has been gloomy, chilly, and wet. We have worms all over the sidewalks. It's a worm-eaters paradise. My kids like to rescue them by carrying them over to a grassy/dirty/shady spot because the worms tend to strand themselves on the pavement and and then fry when the sun comes out. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I guess rain is only appreciated once there's a shortage of it. I have a lifelong hate for our cold and wet climate. Now when it rains, I'm thinking...good, if only it would rain harder, and longer.
        
        Nice of your kids to help out the worms, didn't get that from any stranger. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        So true. If it was dry, I'd be complaining and wishing for rain. At least the rain is bringing wildflowers here.
        
        My kids definitely like worms. But, this wasn't always true. A couple years ago, I did a long worm study with them for homeschool to teach them the importance of worms and to respect (and NOT squish them!). Ever since then, they love worms. Posted 6 years ago

The Eastern Blubird

The eastern bluebird is a small North American migratory thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards. The bright-blue breeding plumage of the male, easily observed on a wire or open perch, makes this species a favorite of birders.

Info 35 0

Similar species: Perching Birds

Species identified by Christine Young