P.O. Box 632 Findlay, Ohio 45839 Phone: 419-420-9327

Duane Smith
Interesting Behavior of the Eastern Bluebird
By Duane Smith
Apr 29, 2008, 22:23

Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to record some interesting behavior of birds during the nesting season.  These often form a lasting visual image.  One of these is the Eastern Bluebird.  This colorful species is a common nester in our area.  

This songster is slightly larger than the House Sparrow and is blue with a rust-colored breast.  The male is brightly colored while the female is more faded in color.  Roger Tory Peterson describes its song as three or four soft gurgling notes.  It nearly disappeared from Ohio in the 1970s because of an overwhelming competition of cavity nesting.  The House Sparrow, European Starling, and Tree Swallow provided much of this competition.  Severe winters in the late 1970s also contributed to its decline in population.  "Doc" Phillips reported in his 1980 edition of BIRDS OF THE HANCOCK COUNTY, AREA that the Bluebird was almost extirpated form the Hancock County area.  Its population status has increased since the 1980s.

A few years ago, I replaced our old nesting box, which was beyond repair, with a new one that I built during the winter.  Patiently, I awaited the arrival of the first Bluebirds.  Finally, I observed a pair near the box. An interesting drama took place that lasted for forty-five minutes.  The male was on the roof of the new box.  Soon, the female arrived with grass in her beak.  When she approached the box, the male flew.  She landed on the predator guard and worked her way into the box. After a few minutes, she emerged, flew away, and returned with more grass. 

On one of the return trips, the grass fell from her beak.  When this happened, she propped her tail against the lower part of the predator guard, leaned back at a 45 degree angle, and looked down at the grass.  I anticipated that she would return the grass to the box.  But she didn't.  To my surprise, she flew off and returned with more grass.  Each time she left the box, the male would return to his position on the roof.  Only once did he enter the box.  His role was that of a sentry. 
This routine lasted for three days as the female diligently constructed the nest inside of the box.  Finally, the nest was completed.  A House Wren even made a visit but left when confronted by the male.  This nest has had other visitors since being finished.  A Tree Swallow unsuccessfully tried to use the nest and a male House Sparrow frequented the nesting box for several days.  The box remained unoccupied for the rest of the summer.

Some Eastern Bluebirds winter over in our area.  I have records of them in January, February, November, and December as well as during the spring and summer. They frequent wooded areas during the winter months feeding mostly on fruit and berries.  Several pairs have been observed this year during late March and early April in locations of previous nesting sites.  Look for this colorful songster as they meticulously care for their young.

Duane Smith may be contacted at the following email address:  gideon@wcoil.com