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Attracting and raising Bluebirds can be a rewarding experience. If you live either in the country or in a fairly large and open suburban area, chances are Bluebirds already live nearby. We live in central Oklahoma a few miles east of Oklahoma City on a 2.5 acre lot. Eastern Bluebirds are particular about the size of their dwelling. Nest boxes made of 3/4" cedar or pine are fairly easy to build or purchase. Ideally, 4"-5" square floor, 12" tall, and 1 1/2" hole 2" from the top will fill the bill and attract them. They should be placed on a post 5'-6' above the ground. Avoid placing them on fences accessible to predators. House Sparrows laid claim to our two nest boxes last year, and we had to clean their nests out regularly before a Bluebird pair finally settled in and began building their nest. |
| Once nest building had begun, the male fiercely guarded against further attempts by other birds to come near the nest box. The female did the lion's share of nest building which took about eight days to complete. For the next three weeks, she sat on the nest while he hunted for insects. At last the four blue eggs hatched, and the real work for the pair began: feeding those hungry little Bluebird babies. Both parents contributed to the effort. Each day they began early gathering insects, grubs, and bringing them back to the always noisy and hungry young ones. Very little food was consumed by the parents, as nestlings need a tremendous amount of nourishment for growth. |
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Both parents were wary of predators and often took alternate routes back to the nest box. They almost always would land in a nearby tree, and before delivering a freshly captured insect would verify the "coast was clear." The parents worked non-stop all day everyday finding insects and returning to the nest. Knowing mealworms are highly nutritious and a favorite food of Bluebirds, we acquired some and in doing so, took some of the "workload" from the parents. Every morning and evening, we placed about 30 of them in a plastic container and set it on top of their house. In no time, they became accustomed to their feeding time. |
| Often, they would be waiting on a nearby fence, anxious for their mealworm treat. The female would gather up to six at a time and take them into the nest box for the young. You can raise mealworms yourself or purchase them as we did for about $7 per five hundred from WildBirdCenter of OKC. About the time we ran out of mealworms the little ones were ready to fledge. At first, they would take turns peering out of the entry hole, and soon after they gained courage and flew for the first time. The parents and four siblings remained on or near our property while the fledglings grew into young adults. We watched as they too learned the "art" of catching insects. |
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The entire family would gather at our bird bath toward the end of the day for a drink and a dip. The Bluebird population has grown considerably in the last decade thanks to a strong conservation effort. With natural habitat decreasing, more and more people are providing them nest boxes. It's been a richly rewarding experience for us just to be able to watch and photograph these beautiful birds. If you would like additional, more extensive information on raising Bluebirds, The North American Bluebird Society is worth a visit. |
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