Bluebirds Everyone’sFavorite

Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow- Why then, oh why can’t I? Do you recognize this famous verse spotlighting the bluebird?

“Over the Rainbow” “Over the Rainbow” From the movie, Wizard of Oz Written by Edgar Y. Harburg

Bluebirds…  are a native species of North America. North America

There are three kinds of bluebirds Eastern Bluebirds 2. 2.Mountain Bluebirds 3. 3.Western Bluebirds   The Eastern Bluebird is a colorful songbird and one of the few North American birds that are mostly blue in color. They live throughout the eastern half of the United States and Southern Canada.

Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters.   A secondary cavity nester is a bird that makes its nest in a cavity that is already available. Bluebirds cannot make their own cavities.   Bluebirds prefer to nest in tree holes.   They build nests in wooden fence posts, fallen, dead trees, old woodpecker holes or nesting boxes.

A Bluebird’’s Habitat  Bluebirds like to live close to open fields that are bordered with trees. That’s why Shipley’s Choice is the perfect place to invite bluebirds to live.  Ideal bluebird habitats are open and barren or short-cut/sparsely grassed areas (so they can see their food) with a few trees nearby (for perching).

Cause of Decline   Development and construction have caused a decline in the bluebird population.   Old trees have been cut down for firewood.   Wooden fence posts were replaced by metal & vinyl posts

Cause of Decline   Birds that are non- native to North America were introduced.   These birds are also cavity nesters.   They are aggressive and chase away bluebirds. They poke at the bluebirds’ eyes. House Sparrow Starling

How Can We Help?   We can create human-made cavities for bluebirds to nest--- Bluebird Nesting Boxes.   Set up and monitor several Bluebird Nesting Boxes and make a Bluebird Trail.

What do bluebirds look like?   A male bluebird has bright blue feathers on his head and back. His breast is rusty red, and his beak and feet are black.   The female looks similar, except the feathers on her head and back are a duller grayish-blue.

What plantings will attract bluebirds to our Bluebird Trail?   Shrubs with berries such as Honeysuckle, Blueberry, or Raspberry   Trees such as, Dogwood, Red Cedar, or Crabapple   Vines such as, Grape or Moonseed

What is a bluebird’s diet?   Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!   Bluebirds are insectivorous during the nesting season, feeding mainly on ground- dwelling insects.   The Eastern Bluebird mostly eats insects such as mealworms, crickets, grasshoppers, katydids, and beetles. They also eat worms, snails and spiders.   They also like fruit such as berries, grapes and raisins.

Bluebird Feeders   Bluebirds are not generally considered feeder birds. .  However, in recent years, there have been some successful attempts to attract bluebirds with feeders.

Who are bluebird predators?  Hawks  Cats  Squirrels  Raccoons  Snakes

From an egg to a bluebird…   Bluebirds build a neat, cup shaped nest woven out of fine grass or pine needles.   Bluebirds lay one egg a day, usually in the morning.   Female bluebirds lay 3-6 pale blue eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time).

From an egg to a bluebird…   After the female incubates the eggs for days, the babies will begin to hatch. It may take hours or a whole day for them to break free from the shell.

From an egg to a bluebird…   Both the mother and father bluebird care for the hatchlings for 15 – 20 days.   The parents remove the fecal sacs (poop) to keep the nest clean.

From an egg to a bluebird…   By Day 13, the babies have all their feathers.   Bluebird babies “fledge” (fly away from the nest) about days after hatching.

From an egg to a bluebird…   Observe an adult bluebird in its natural habitat.

Read and learn more bluebird facts on your own!

What Does This Mean to SCES?  Motivation for students to perform tasks that support our curriculum by using a high interest topic  Reading- expository text; research  Writing- 6+1 Writing Traits  Math- measurement; graphing; operations, etc..  Science- data collection, monitoring, record keeping  Technology- research, presentations  We are a GREEN SCHOOL!

Have a blue-tiful day!

Zippity Do Da………