Creating Bluebird Habitat in Annapolis, MD
Want to be a BLUEBIRD LANDLORD?
Provide water. Bluebirds love a clean water source more than other species.
Do NOT use pesticides. Bluebirds (and 98% of birds) are but eaters. Most of this nutrition comes from caterpillars.
This species does NOT like swaying/ rocking bird houses. Make sure your house is stable.
Bluebirds like a South-East facing nest box with a good perching spot within 25 feet of their nest box.
They will not nest in forested areas. If you live in an area with dense trees, make sure your house is in a clearing.
Insure your bluebird house is 5-6 feet off the ground and baffled (protected) against snakes and squirrels.
This pretty male is staking out his new nest box.
His female takes her time making sure the space is fit for her brood.
Looks good - time to start building her nest.
Invasive European House Sparrows are a real threat to bluebird nest boxes. Keep a watch and promptly evict all envaders. Success depends on scaring them enough that they don't return.
Test grasses. If they are undisturbed for several days, the female will start building her nest.
Looks good!
Time to start building!
The female starts with a thin layer of grasses and pine needles.
Then, she fluffs and pushes it in to a nest shape.
Like this!
More grasses are added and fluffed.
And the process repeats.
And, repeats....
Until the nest is suitable for her eggs.
She lays her first egg!
Beautiful!
An egg is laid each morning. This is the 2nd day...
Day 3...
Day 4...
Day 5...
Day 6 - done laying - now she will sit on her nest for a couple of weeks.
And sit...
Until the chicks start hatching
Four of the five eggs hatch.
Now the chore of keeping the chicks feed begins. The male joins in to help and continues to guard the nest.
Getting some fuzz.
Bluebird babies sleep...
and sleep...
Until they hear a parent
Then, it's every beak for himself.
Getting feathers.
Opening eyes!
Now, they are REALLY hungry!
Tail feathers!
Getting to big for this!
Last night together.
Feeling like today is a good day to fledge.
One, brave bird flew the nest.
The second bird leaves.
Now what!?!
Down to two!
The last one decides it's time to fly.
They left a mess on the walls!
Through their entire life, they've had my little camera to keep them company. So, as an experiment, I strapped the camera to the "perch" by their house.
They were so excited! They recognized the camera and snuggled up next to it before flying on.