Bluebird: Difference between revisions
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Bluebirds are attracted to platform bird feeders, filled with grubs of the darkling beetle, sold by many online bird product wholesalers as [[mealworm]]s. Bluebirds will also eat raisins soaked in water. In addition, in winter bluebirds use backyard heated birdbaths. |
Bluebirds are attracted to platform bird feeders, filled with grubs of the darkling beetle, sold by many online bird product wholesalers as [[mealworm]]s. Bluebirds will also eat raisins soaked in water. In addition, in winter bluebirds use backyard heated birdbaths. |
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By the 1970s, bluebird numbers had declined by estimates ranging to 70% due to unsuccessful competition with [[house sparrow]]s and [[starlings]], both [[introduced species]], for nesting cavities, coupled with a decline in habitat. However, in late 2005 Cornell University's [[Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology|Laboratory of Ornithology]] reported bluebird sightings at many locations in the southern U.S. as part of its yearly [[Backyard Bird Count]], a strong indication of the bluebird's return to the region. This upsurge can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteers establishing and maintaining bluebird trails |
By the 1970s, bluebird numbers had declined by estimates ranging to 70% due to unsuccessful competition with [[house sparrow]]s and [[starlings]], both [[introduced species]], for nesting cavities, coupled with a decline in habitat. However, in late 2005 Cornell University's [[Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology|Laboratory of Ornithology]] reported bluebird sightings at many locations in the southern U.S. as part of its yearly [[Backyard Bird Count]], a strong indication of the bluebird's return to the region. This upsurge can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteers establishing and maintaining bluebird trails. |
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== In culture == |
== In culture == |
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Revision as of 13:47, 18 January 2010
| Bluebirds | |
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| Eastern Bluebird | |
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| Genus: | Sialia
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The bluebirds are a group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Sialia of the thrush family (Turdidae). Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in the Americas. They have blue, or blue and red, plumage. Female birds are less brightly colored than males, although color patterns are similar and there is no noticeable difference in size between sexes.
Species:
- Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis
- Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana
- Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides
Behavior
Bluebirds are territorial, prefer open grassland with scattered trees and are cavity nesters (similar to many species of woodpecker). Bluebirds can typically produce between two and four broods during the spring and summer (March through August in the Northeastern United States). Males identify potential nest sites and try to attract prospective female mates to those nesting sites with special behaviors that include singing and flapping wings, and then placing some material in a nesting box or cavity. If the female accepts the male and the nesting site, she alone builds the nest and incubates the eggs.
Predators of young bluebirds in the nests can include snakes, cats and raccoons. Non-native and native bird species competing with bluebirds for nesting locations include the Common Starling, American Crow, and House Sparrow, which take over the nesting sites of bluebirds, killing young and smashing eggs and probably killing adult bluebirds.[1]
Bluebirds are attracted to platform bird feeders, filled with grubs of the darkling beetle, sold by many online bird product wholesalers as mealworms. Bluebirds will also eat raisins soaked in water. In addition, in winter bluebirds use backyard heated birdbaths.
By the 1970s, bluebird numbers had declined by estimates ranging to 70% due to unsuccessful competition with house sparrows and starlings, both introduced species, for nesting cavities, coupled with a decline in habitat. However, in late 2005 Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology reported bluebird sightings at many locations in the southern U.S. as part of its yearly Backyard Bird Count, a strong indication of the bluebird's return to the region. This upsurge can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteers establishing and maintaining bluebird trails.
In culture
The bluebird is a common symbol of happiness and optimism.
Bluebirds are featured in several songs.
- Paul McCartney and Wings recorded a McCartney composition titled "Bluebird" on their 1973 album Band on the Run. The narrator/singer refers to himself metaphorically as a bluebird in the song's lyrics.
- Vera Lynn proclaimed that there will be "Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs Of Dover" in her popular war-time melody. Bluebirds would never actually appear in Britain, however; the song is instead using the image of the bluebird of happiness.
- Judy Garland in "Over the Rainbow" from the equally legendary The Wizard of Oz, proclaimed her belief that "If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why oh why can't I".
- Disney's film Song of the South had the line "Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder" in the song titled "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah."
- Sailors used to tattoo the image of a bluebird on their chests for every 5,000 miles logged at sea.[2]
- Shirley Temple Sings the song "Someday You'll Find Your Bluebird" that was released for publicity from the film "The Blue Bird (1940 film)"
Footnotes
- ^ "House Sparrows Kill Eastern Bluebirds" by Patricia Adair Gowaty in Journal of Field Ornithology, Volume 55, Number 3, Summer, 1984, pp. 378-380.
- ^ History of Tattoos
External links
- Eastern Bluebird Cornell descriptions, including range, calls and physical description
- Videos from inside a bluebird nest Video clips showing development from eggs to fledglings (Faunascope)
- Thrush videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Bluebird Information and Awareness Dedicated to educating the public about the needs of the bluebird and providing the information needed to help them.
- North American Bluebird Society Dedicated to promoting the preservation of bluebirds.
- Sialis Information on bluebirds and their conservation and restoration.