Two beautiful bluebirds nested and raised the babies on my
back porch this late spring/early summer.
After the babies were grown and sent out into the world all the
bluebirds are gone from my yard…where did they go? I thought I’d be able to watch them grow and
be around all summer. Billie
We had 15 healthy bluebird babies this summer. The last 5
fledged just 9 days ago. My concern is that we may be moving within the next
few months and whether or not to continue feeding mealworms. Will they begin to
migrate South? Last year we only had one brood but this year we had three!
Hopefully the people who will purchase our house will take care of them but who
knows! We are located 30 miles east of Philadelphia.
Thank you. Judi
Congratulations on your successful nesting season! Once the
baby bluebirds have fledged they move around in a family group. At first they
depend on the parents but soon catch on to picking out objects that might be
food. This is the best time to watch them at the feeders. Birds only supplement
10 to 20 percent of their diet at feeders. Most birds prefer to forage for food and
eventually the parents take the young farther and farther from the nest site.
This family vacation or training period lasts for about 3 to
4 weeks. If there is enough time, and you clean your nest box out, they may
come back for a second nesting.
After nesting
season has ended, Eastern Bluebirds usually form large nomadic groups that roost at night in
the woods. This will help increase their survival through the winter. These late summer flocks change their diet from mainly insects over to more fruit, nuts, and berries. If you have fruit trees, a
feeder or a reliable source of water, you may host the bluebirds year-round.
You can contact your local Wild Birds Unlimited for specific
information about bluebirds in your area. As I wrote before, they are considered
partial migrants. In mid-Michigan and many other states, many bluebirds are
year-round residents or move further south if the weather becomes too harsh. Scientists
think it’s due to genetics whether they want to fly south or winter over. Some
birds are compelled to move south and others are not.
It’s more important that you tell the new owner of your
house to monitor your nest boxes next spring. Bluebirds may raise 2-3 broods in
one season. Some studies have shown that about 30% of adult bluebirds return to
previous nesting sites the following season. 
Eastern Bluebirds prefer to nest in cavity holes excavated
by woodpeckers with a grassy clearing nearby for hunting bugs. You probably
know from the late 1800s to the 1960s, Eastern Bluebirds’ population declined
almost 90% in part because of loss of habitat. However, since 1966 the
population has increased 2.4% each year due to nesting boxes, better
landscaping, and bird feeding practices.
It is very important to be a good landlord and monitor nest
boxes so you will be alerted to any problems. And the nests should also be
cleaned out after each successful nesting. By monitoring and cleaning out a
nest box, you help deter parasite infestation and a predator’s ability to
disturb a nest that is built on top of old nests.
Hopefully all nestbox owners across the country will help in
the ongoing effort to promote and facilitate bluebird conservation.
For more information on Eastern Bluebirds flocking and
everything else bluebird, visit http://www.sialis.org/flocks.htm. It’s a great
website that can answer all your bluebird questions.
Thanks so much Sarah.
This is very informative and interesting. I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee
and it is very hot and humid here until late September. I’ll clean my nesting box and hope the
bluebirds return. Happy birding and
thanks again! Billie
Thank you so much for getting back to me. I am continuing to
feed the worms and will stop when they run out (just placed an order for 5000
more). I am also planning on planting some bushes with berries they prefer in
the next month. We already have several in the wooded area next to our home but
would prefer to have more. I am very sad to say good-bye to them but have many
wonderful pictures and great memories. Here's wishing for another owner who
will be interested in these wonderful, delightful birds. Keeping my fingers
crossed! Take care. Judi
Related articles:
How to Attract Bluebirds: http://bit.ly/nfCq2b
When do you clean bird houses?: http://bit.ly/oiB7fu
5 Tips to Attract Birds to Nest in your Bird Houses:
http://bit.ly/oBBA0d
How to Participate in NestWatch: http://bit.ly/opPqQ3
When is the best time to put up a bird house?:
http://bit.ly/nq6z7d
We have a lot of bluebirds here in Charlotte however this time of year it seems we are swarmed with Cardinals.
ReplyDeleteNorthern Cardinals are the most sought after birds by backyard bird feeding enthusiasts. I'm sure many people are very jealous.
ReplyDeleteBy late summer, nesting is over and Northern Cardinals relax their defense of their territory boundaries. The birds sing less and flocks of cardinals begin to form. The Cardinals in our area don’t migrate but can expand their range while foraging for food.
Young cardinals don’t have a set territory and can move around together freely in search of food. Older cardinals can join these young flocks for a time but drop out once it leaves their normal range.
These ever changing flocks can consist of about four to twenty birds depending on the area, time of year, weather, and available resources.
Southern states will see larger flocks, of course, because the population is higher in the Southeast. Flock size increases in December and January when temperatures decline or there is snow on the ground. The larger numbers help each other find food sources and look out for predators.
About 40% of adult cardinals die each year. Most die during the winter in February and March when food supplies are low. Death may not be due to starvation but a weakened immune system or being forced to search for food in more open areas where birds of prey and other predators can kill them.
Cardinal populations with access to a feeding station may be in better condition and more likely to survive the winter than cardinals without access. The Northern Cardinal is often the first bird to visit a feeder in the morning and the last to stop by and grab a bite at night.
The bright red plumage of the Northern Cardinals is a magnificent sight against the snowy backdrop in winter. I hope you continue to see large flock all through the non-breeding season.