Backyard Birder: Raising Bluebirds

In March of 2010 I put out an Eastern Bluebird nesting box for the first time.  I had never seen an Eastern Bluebird since moving in 2008 to my house that is near Maclay State Park.  Carolina Chickadees started building a nest and then shortly afterwards I looked out front to see an Eastern Bluebird on top of the nesting box! I bought another box, set it up, and so began my exciting experiences with Eastern Bluebirds.



Carolina Chickadee with nesting material



Male attempting to mate with female at the new box in 2010



These three fledglings from the first clutch would always show up together for the next several months



One juvenile became a helper with the last clutch and would bring mealworms to the box

It was interesting watching the juveniles encourage the last remaining bluebird to fledge.  They would land on the ground in front of the box and hop around and then alight on top of the box and then back again to the ground. 



In 2011 what seemed to be the original pair nested again and I took this photo of them posing beautifully



Last year for the third clutch the female Eastern Bluebird built a nest in the never used Great Crested Flycatcher’s box which took a lot more work!  As she was inside the box working on the nest, a Great Crested Flycatcher landed on top of the box.



Great Crested Flycatcher



This year the Eastern Bluebirds are back out front and there are five eggs in the nest. Last week as part of the mating behavior, he was feeding her mealworms. I am looking forward to another great Eastern Bluebird nesting season.

by Judy Lyle