Bluebird Facts
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Even absent songs touting their popularity, the songs of the three bluebird species found in the United States, would be enough to please anyone's ears.
Their popularity is apparent from Coast to Coast. Missouri and New York call the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) their official state birds. Nevada and Idaho awarded the same designation to the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides).
All the native bluebirds partially migrate during the year in search of food. Their diet consists of insects, supplemented by berries and seeds.
It's usual to see flocks of bluebirds darting among branches or from branches to the ground in search of food.
The top picture shows a juvenile Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), with a white eye ring and blue wings. The spotted patch on the breast will eventually turn the typical bluebird rust color.
Despite their popularity, a combination of factors, including disruptive weather patterns, the introduction of habitat competing species (house sparrows and starlings) and loss of habitat contributed to significant declines in all bluebird populations.
Today bluebird enthusiasts promote the placement of nesting boxes in open areas sites to help re-establish or rebuild populations. In many areas those efforts are successfully paying off.
Attracting bluebirds to a residential area can be as growing a small fruit tree or bush in the yard and adding a nest box. Extra care should be taken to insure the nest box is safe from predators such as raccoons.
© 2008-2010 Patricia A. Michaels