Description
The bluebird’s bright beauty and cheerful song inspire the pure joy of nature. A species of open spaces, bluebirds benefited from both Native American and European settlers who cleared the land for farming. They found nesting cavities in orchards, fence posts, and abandoned woodpecker holes along forest edges. In turn, bluebirds helped farmers by eating insects and crop pests like grasshoppers, beetles and snails.
Bluebird populations flourished until the introduction of the house sparrow and starling from Europe in the late 1800’s. These aggressive birds compete with bluebirds for nesting cavities.
Conservation efforts to help bluebirds began in the 1930’s, when the first “bluebird trails” were created by placing nesting boxes along country roads. Since then thousands of boxes have been put up, and with growing awareness of the bluebird’s habitat, nesting and roosting needs, this beautiful species is making a comeback.
Look for bluebirds around farms, gardens, orchards and parks. They perch conspicuously on utility wires and fences, then suddenly drop down to catch insects in a flash and flutter of blue.
For conservation and educational information, write: North American Bluebird Society, P.O. Box 244, Wilmot, OH 44689. www.nabluebirdsociety.org
artwork by John Sill ©2002
text by Kara Jean Hagedorn
