Outdoors
The BDN outdoors section brings readers into the woods, waters and wild places of Maine. It features stories on hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation and recreation, told by people who live these experiences. This section emphasizes hands-on knowledge, field reports, issues, trends and the traditions that define life outside in Maine. Read more Outdoors stories here.
This is an especially busy time to be a bluebird. They are making babies. They are also making people smile. Let’s face it, there are few birds more grin-worthy than an eastern bluebird — the true bluebird of happiness.
When I was a youngster, I was always thrilled to see a bluebird. They were colorful, cheerful and unfortunately rare. They were common on the farms of previous generations, until imported city birds started pushing them out.
Bluebirds nest in cavities. So do starlings and house sparrows. These exotic species were introduced from Europe, and as their populations grew, they took over the nest sites favored by bluebirds. At the same time, suburbs were devouring farmland. Old trees riddled with woodpecker holes were pruned or removed from the landscape. Over time, our bluebird population dwindled.
Bluebirds prefer open habitats — meadows, parks, hayfields and blueberry fields. They aren’t shy. You’ll find them perching in the open, a behavior they share with their cousins, American robins. They also tend to feed low where they are easy to see, swooping to the ground to glean insects off the fields.
Bluebirds have more Maine-breeding cousins. They are in the thrush genus along with Swainson’s, hermit, wood and Bicknell’s thrushes, plus veeries. However, bluebirds are the only thrushes that nest in cavities.
Their nesting preference has proven to be their salvation. Efforts to save the bluebird began in the 1960s. Bluebirds will happily nest in wooden boxes, and as these were erected throughout their range, the population rebounded. Bluebird “trails” have been established to string out boxes across multiple properties, often for miles. The Downeast Chapter of Maine Audubon has established an extensive trail across Hancock County.
All this birdhouse building has led to helpful discoveries. For instance, a 1.5-inch hole is big enough for bluebirds, but too small for starlings. Bluebirds don’t care for perches on a birdhouse, whereas house sparrows do. Boxes should be placed on smooth metal poles at least five feet high to discourage predators. The entrance should face away from prevailing winds and sun exposure. Keeping invaders, predators, and foul weather at bay have been key factors in the bluebird population boom.
Bluebird enthusiasts have also figured out where to site the boxes. Bluebirds are territorial. They will not nest within 100 yards of each other. However, they’ll tolerate other cavity nesters right next door, primarily tree swallows and house wrens.
Now that nesting habitat has been restored, the bluebird’s true resilience shines. Bluebirds are mostly insectivorous, but they can subsist on fruit and berries when necessary. In fact, like robins, they can find enough nourishment in winter to survive in most parts of Maine. Those that do migrate out of state don’t go very far, and they are among the first species to return in the spring.
Bluebirds are monogamous, but they do yield to temptation. DNA studies show that an average of one in five eggs in the nest is the result of a quickie on the side. During courtship, the female chooses a cavity or box and builds the nest, while the male collects and delivers nesting materials. In fact, the female may build several nests, then pick her favorite. Both parents help to raise the young, and they are apt to raise two broods each summer.
Habitat is the key to attracting bluebirds. They need sufficient open area, preferably with short grass or other low ground cover such as blueberries. Eastern bluebirds are widespread, ranging across the east as far west as the Great Plains and as far south as Nicaragua. Beyond the Great Plains, two other species take over — mountain bluebirds in the Rockies and western bluebirds west of the mountains.
Food is the key to keeping bluebirds around all winter. They find mealworms to be irresistible. Dried mealworms are available at most bird supply stores. The bluebirds prefer mealworms alive and wriggling, and these are available in most places, too. Put the live mealworms in a platform feeder with straight, slick sides to keep them from crawling out.
Naturally, live mealworms don’t do well when temperatures drop below 40 degrees. However, you can put small batches in a feeder during winter if bluebirds are around to scoop them up.
Live mealworms keep for a long time in the produce bin of your refrigerator. I would consider doing that, but I know I’d look suspiciously at the adjacent lettuce every time I made a salad.
