New Jersey Bluebird Society
If you want to raise your own bluebird family, all you need is a cleared area and and a nest box made for bluebirds. Contact the New Jersey Bluebird Society for nest boxes. Place your box on a metal post or pole with a baffle to deter raccoons and snakes. Do not put the box on a fence post or tree, it will be predated upon. Place the opening away from prevailing winds. You should check your nestbox weekly during the breeding season,avoiding early morning and late afternoon and rainy or windy days. if you have an active nest, do not open the box after the young are ten days old,as they can fledge prematurely. Learning how to ID bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees and house wren nests is very important. All these birds, including the house wren are protected by law. House wren nests need to be avoided if you want to have bluebirds, as they kill the eggs, young and adult birds! Scroll down for information on the differences between bird nests. Also view this site by Cornell Lab as like other sites, tons of information. Video below copyright of Cornell Lab. Turn up sound!
The Audubon Society has a great site on Eastern Bluebirds. I you link to that site, you will find migration as well as songs of the bluebird. A fascinating sight and very extensive. Now, when linked to this site, school down and view the migration change that might occur to bluebirds given climate change. Yes, while it might eliminate some habitat in some areas, it gains in other areas. We need to recognize that climate change is not always bad in that sense...
At what height to I install my house?
Cornell Labs (click on) has a great site which shows the height for Bluebird houses in relation to other nesting birds. This might help when setting up your house. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has collected research by citizen scientists across the U.S. to reveal that the Eastern Bluebirds will nest in a bird house that faces in any direction. Bluebirds in other parts of the country such as in MIchigan, prefer 'south-facing' nests to gather more warmth.
How do you know if you have a perfect site for a Bluebird Box...try this site from Birds and Blooms.
Cornell Labs (click on) has a great site which shows the height for Bluebird houses in relation to other nesting birds. This might help when setting up your house. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has collected research by citizen scientists across the U.S. to reveal that the Eastern Bluebirds will nest in a bird house that faces in any direction. Bluebirds in other parts of the country such as in MIchigan, prefer 'south-facing' nests to gather more warmth.
How do you know if you have a perfect site for a Bluebird Box...try this site from Birds and Blooms.
Local Yocals
This is one of our local BlueBirds ......fun to just sit and watch. Sometimes I want to bird with a 'lawn chair' so I can just sit back and view the happenings as they appear in front of me.
This is one of our local BlueBirds ......fun to just sit and watch. Sometimes I want to bird with a 'lawn chair' so I can just sit back and view the happenings as they appear in front of me.
Fecal Sac...
Many Birds, including Bluebirds....develop fecal sacs when nesting. This is a mucous membrane which surrounds the feces of the young birds in the nest. This fecal sac makes it easy for the adult bird to clean the inside of their nest. It is a white membrane that almost acts as a diaper. The bird can easily pick up with their beak and dispose of outside of the nest. Bluebirds, Robins, Grosbeaks, House Sparrows etc...many cavity dwelling birds. The image below shows the bluebird disposing of the fecal sac.
Many Birds, including Bluebirds....develop fecal sacs when nesting. This is a mucous membrane which surrounds the feces of the young birds in the nest. This fecal sac makes it easy for the adult bird to clean the inside of their nest. It is a white membrane that almost acts as a diaper. The bird can easily pick up with their beak and dispose of outside of the nest. Bluebirds, Robins, Grosbeaks, House Sparrows etc...many cavity dwelling birds. The image below shows the bluebird disposing of the fecal sac.
Nesting......Know the differences
According to the National Audubon Society (audubon.org), these are several things to look for when you have an active nest to determine if you have Bluebirds, or some other species.
Bluebirds will build a tall, cup shaped nest from fine grass, sometimes entwined with pine needles. Swallows will build a similar nest but will line the nest with feathers. House Wrens will fill the box with twigs and line their bulky nest with feathers and coarse grass. House sparrows build a shaped nest and will outline this bulky structure with feathers and sometimes plastic or other material. Chickadees will build a small cup-shaped nest as well but it is constructed from moss and plant down, and lined with fine hair or animal fur. Titmice will do the same as Chickadees but sometimes include snake skin. Need a bluebird house? Try this BestNest.com
According to the National Audubon Society (audubon.org), these are several things to look for when you have an active nest to determine if you have Bluebirds, or some other species.
Bluebirds will build a tall, cup shaped nest from fine grass, sometimes entwined with pine needles. Swallows will build a similar nest but will line the nest with feathers. House Wrens will fill the box with twigs and line their bulky nest with feathers and coarse grass. House sparrows build a shaped nest and will outline this bulky structure with feathers and sometimes plastic or other material. Chickadees will build a small cup-shaped nest as well but it is constructed from moss and plant down, and lined with fine hair or animal fur. Titmice will do the same as Chickadees but sometimes include snake skin. Need a bluebird house? Try this BestNest.com
Bluebird houses at Batso
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Purple Martin Hotel
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The Atlantic Audubon Society maintains one trail of Bluebird houses which are located in Batso. Batso is located in Wharton State Forest just off of Rt 542 and east of Pleasant Mills, NJ. Currently there are 40 nest boxes which are used by bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees and house wrens. The trail is monitored by volunteers. In addition, there is a wood duck box and two nesting towers for purple martins. Nesting season is late March thru late August, so please if you visit the trail during those months, observe the birds from a safe distance of 20' or more, and please do not open the boxes. It is very easy to dislodge the nest or prematurely let the nestlings fly out and they would not survive. So, be respectful to the birds and help them survive. If you are interested in helping with the bluebird nesting trails, please contact the Atlantic Audubon Society (609 384-4599) or the New Jersey Bluebird Society for more information. We will be pleased to hear from you!
And you say....you are interested in the history of bluebirds and nesting and how humans have helped. Well then....link to this Countryside Veterinary Hospital website where you will learn a bit about Bluebirds. Heck...if you are on 'this page' learning about bluebirds, what is stopping you from linking to the page we suggested? Eh?
Fine Art (click on)....Discover Fine Art and Bluebirds. There is some 'subjects' that just allow for 'art' and creative energy to paint, draw etc. If you are looking for art, check out the site. Above art by Bonnie Barry.
Western vs Eastern?
The Western Bluebird is just as pretty, abundant and reveled as the Eastern Bluebird. So, how can you tell the difference..... Click to this link and you shall find out.
The Western Bluebird is just as pretty, abundant and reveled as the Eastern Bluebird. So, how can you tell the difference..... Click to this link and you shall find out.