"The bluebird is
well named, for he wears a coat of the purest,
richest, and most gorgeous blue on back, wings, and
tail; no North American bird better deserves the
name, for no other flashes before our admiring eyes
so much brilliant blue. It has been said that he
carries on his back the blue of heaven and the rich
brown of the freshly turned earth on his breast;
but who has ever seen the bluest sky as blue as the
bluebird's back?" (Quote describing the eastern
bluebird from the Arthur Cleveland Bent series on
the Birds of North America.)
All three species
of bluebirds are summer residnets in Wyamoing,
although the mountain bluebird is the only one of
the three to be widespread within the state.
Bluebirds are usually found in fields, open
woodlands, parks or along golf courses or other
open areas, including suburban locations with open
spaces and scattered tress. In the mountains they
are found in clearings and meadows.
The mountain
bluebird is well known for its hovering flight as
it hawks for insects. The eastern bluebird has a
musical flight call that often reveals its
presence.
Male western bluebird
Red = summer range,
Green = year-around, Blue = winter range
Male mountain bluebird
Red = summer range,
Green = year-around, Blue = winter range
Male eastern bluebird
Red = summer range,
Green = year-around, Blue = winter
range
In
The Backyard:
Bluebirds can be attracted to peanut butter mixes,
suet and fruit. Raisins soaked in hot water to
soften them are well received. The bluebird's
special favorite is mealworms.
Nesting:
All three species of bluebirds nest in Wyoming, but
the western bluebird and eastern bluebird have very
limited ranges. Expect one or two broods each
season, with 4-6 plae blue eggs.
If you manage a
bluebird house watch for house sparrows trying to
use the next box and immediately remove any house
sparrow nesting material.
Visit the main
Birdzilla.com
Web site
for information nest boxes and management, bluebird
trails, range maps and much more on these popular
birds. The Sam's
Guide to Bluebirds
CD-ROM and DVD provides complete information on
bluebird trails, boxes, care and feeding and a
whole lot more.
