February Is Time To Think About Your Bluebirds



Hello everyone! I am Carol and I am your McDowell County Bluebird Society cooridinator. Here is some
information to get you excited about helping our McDowell County Eastern Bluebirds. Look over my entire blog and  you will find almost any informatin you will need. If you need more just email me at ldsmommyof12@msn.com and I will try to answer your questions.

Bluebird breeding cycles are late February through mid-August. In late February and early March, the male bluebird begins staking out his territory, usually encompassing many acres, searching for a place to nest.


Once he has established "his territory," he will sing along the borders letting all other passerby's know where his territory is, thus fending off all male intruders and welcoming the females.

During courtship display, male sings and flutters in front of the female with half open wings and fanned tail. Later, it perches close to female to preen her, and sometimes, it will offer some food. Male perform displays at nest cavity, bringing nest materials to the hole, going in and out, and waving its wings while it perches above the hole, in order to attract female.

Eastern Bluebirds become aggressive and may fight between them, during breeding season. Eastern bluebird male utters a song like a warning cry, when an intruder approaches. If female is alone, she begins to sing, hoping a protective male. Both adults also flick wings and warble when predator is nearby.

When a curious female enters his territory, she continues to the nest box he has selected. While the male is perched on top of the box, the female will enter to begin inspecting. This ritual repeats itself, box after box, until the female finds something suitable.

Once a box is selected, the female begins to build the nest inside using grass, and pine straw. She will lay three to six eggs and incubates them for twelve to sixteen days. After the eggs hatch, both male and female bluebirds care for the nestlings until they fledge, generally fourteen to eighteen days after hatching. This is definitely a sight to see!  Info from: Bluebird Notes from the North Carolina Bluebird Society

Happy Bluebirding!