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| Metal fense posts have replaced the wooded
ones where bluebirds commonly nested. Add to that increased competition
for nesting cavieties, and the bluebirds were in need of emergency
housing. So man made nesting boxes began dotting backyads and the
countryside. In some cases, bluebirds helped themselves to stovepipes
and mail boxes. One or more can make a difference. Description: At first glance, it's easy to misidentify eastern and western bluebirds. They are similar (see below). Bluebirds raise several broods during one mating season. Eastern and Western bluebirds typeically lay three to six eggs, but mountain bluebirds can lay up to seven. The females handles incubation duties, while both adults feed their hungry young. Bluebirds are more suburban and rural by nature, preferring open woodlands, including orchards, farmlands and even gardens and parks. They rely on a steady diet of insects and wild fruit. To attract bluebirds to your backyard, some experts suggest placing wild grapes, rose hips or dogwood berries on a layform feeder. Raisins soften in water are also successful, as well as suet mixtures. The adventureous may even want to offer a special treat mealworms. You cxan get thouse in mose Pet stores. As a destroyer of insects, bluebirds have earned a favorable reputation of being a reliable predator. In fact, they make great "watch dogs" for flowers and special plants if their is nesting box near it. Size:12 " long,Up to 8" high Coloring: a brillant sky blue with a rusty breast. a blue trhroat and sports patches of rust above its wings. a vivid true blue from tip to tail Their wings have white spots and black bars. Tail feathers have white tips. They have a black necklace and grayish white face and under parts. Mating: Begins in March in the Southern States Nesting: The female lays 4 - 5 greenish blue eggs with brown spots. The eggs hatch in 17 days and the young leave the nest 17 - 19 days later. Habitat: Blue hays live in woods, gardens, parks and in suburbs. They build a nest in a tree using twigs, moss and some man made materials. Foods: They eat seeds, nuts, fruits and insects. They especially like sunflowers seeds and cracked corn. Facts: No other eastern bird is like the noisy blue, black, and white Blue Jay. Of the western jays, Steller's (11 inches.) has a blackhead, throat, and breast, and long black crest. The short tailed, crest less Pinyon Jay (9 in.) is dull blue with a darker crown. The Scrub Jay (10 in.), found commonly west of the Rockies and in central Florida, has a blue cap, wings, and tail, and a dull blue necklace across the whitish under parts. Young of all jays are similar to their parents. Did you know?: Blue Jays will form a mob and dive at hawks. To return to animal menu click here |
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