10 Fun Facts about Bluebirds
By Julie Jansen
1) Bluebirds are found throughout North America, including the eastern, western and mountain bluebirds. All bluebirds are cavity nesters and will use an artificial nest box. Habitat and nest cavities had been disappearing for many years, but bluebirds have made an incredible comeback due to thousands of bluebird nest boxes being installed across the country.
2) Nesting occurs from March through August. Only the female incubates the four to six eggs, which she maintains at a temperature of 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
3) Bluebirds are generally monogamous, staying together throughout the breeding season, and may breed together for more than one season. However, some birds may switch mates during a breeding season to raise a second brood.
4) Bluebirds may raise two and sometimes three broods per season. Pairs might build their second nests on top of the first nest or they might nest in an entirely new site. I advise folks to clean the nest box out after every brood leaves. The male continues to take care of the recently fledged young while the female begins to re-nest. Young of the first brood will occasionally help raise their siblings in the second brood.
5) Both sexes defend territories; however, the males tend to defend territory edges, while the females primarily defend the nest site.
6) Males might carry nest material to the nest, but they do not participate in the actual building. They spend much time guarding their mates during this time to prevent them from mating with other males.
7) Families flock together until fall, when they merge with other family flocks. Some, but not all, bluebirds residing in the northern portions of the range migrate to southern latitudes, but those residing in southern latitudes tend to be residential.
8) Adult bluebirds tend to return to the same breeding territory year after year, but only a small percentage (3 to 5 percent) of young birds return to where they hatched.
9) Bluebirds love mealworms (live are more successful than dried) and can be drawn in with a small dish filled with mealworms.
10) A bluebird can spot caterpillars and insects in tall grass at the remarkable distance of over 50 yards.