|
.
While sitting on the back
porch hoping for a shot of a big blue
jay, these birds came to the birdbath.
When the bunch of dark
 birds
flocked to the birdbath, I didn't know
what they were. Then the male Blue Bird
joined them and I knew they must be
juvenile Eastern Blue Birds. After
seeing the pictures on my computer
monitor, and thus, able to see the blue
in their tail feathers, I was certain
they were juvenile Blue Birds. I had no
idea there were so many little ones
around here! Nor did I know that young
ones, surely not all from the same
parents, would congregate under the
watchful eye of one male.
Cool, huh?
Bill
*I've since learned that Eastern
Bluebirds lay as many as five eggs. So
I guess all those young'uns were of one
set of parents ! Can you imagine how hard the parents worked keeping all those kids fed
with insects?
More photos by Bill Cone,
available on this website, Wallpaper # 5
The Eastern Bluebird
"The bluebird carries the
sky on his back.”
Henry David Thoreau
If there was ever a bird in need of our
help in providing nest boxes, it is the
Eastern Blue Bird. Once declining in
population, bluebirds are beginning to
make a comeback. Interesting to note,
bluebirds were once as common as the
American Robin !
If you plan on putting up a nesting box,
place it on a pole within 4-5 feet of
the ground. This height will help
discourage house sparrows and make it
easier for you to monitor. Keep a close
watch on your nesting box and remove
nesting materials from house sparrows
and starlings.
Bluebird
houses should be a minimum of 100 yards
apart. These birds are territorial and
will not allow others of the same
species to nest any closer than 100
yards. Try to face the nest box away
from prevailing winds while keeping the
entrance hole pointed toward open land
if possible. Instructions for building a
nesting box can be found at
http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Blue_Bird_House.html
When it comes to feeding,
Bluebirds eat large amounts of insects.
Eighty percent of their diet comes from
insects during spring and summer. In
addition to insects, these birds eat
berries and fruits off of small trees
and shrubs. There is no need to provide
an additional water source. Bluebirds
water requirements are met if food
sources are available. Insects and fruit
provide enough water for these birds to
survive. However, as shown above,
Bluebirds are attracted to bird baths,
particularly if the water is moving and
makes splashing noises that they can
hear at some distance.
Bluebird info: CS Webb
Sources: Wikipedia, wildbirdwatching
One of F.O.R.'s primary
functions is to educate the
public regarding the issues
concerning the San Bernard
River and it's
Communities. Contact Pat
Webb
pat@sanbernardriver.com
to schedule a guest speaker
for your group or special
event.
|
|