Bluebirds

By: Priya

Fast facts about bluebirds

• Diet: Omnivore

• Lifespan in the wild: 6-10 years

• Size: 6.5-8.5 inches

• Weight: .84-1.09 ounces

• Types: Eastern, Western, and Mountain

• Eggs: Lay from 4-6

How to make a bluebird box

How to make a bluebird box

• Measure and mark the wood. Cut with a saw. Drill the air holes and entry hole. The entry hole should be 1.5” across. If it's too big, larger birds can take over the nest box.

- Use GALVANIZED nails. They will not rust.

- Nail together one side, the front, the floor, the roof, and the back. Follow the sketches for position.

- The second side (swing side) uses only 3 nails! The 2 Pivot Nails at the top allows this piece of wood to swing open for checking and cleaning. The third nail holds this side closed.

How to make a bluebird box

• Fit the second side into the nest box. (see the sketch) About 1 inch below the roof, draw a straight line from the front to the back - across the swing side. Even with your line, hammer one nail through the front and one nail through the back into the swing side. You should be able to swing the second side open from the bottom. (see the sketch) About one inch from the bottom, partially hammer one nail from the front into the swing side. Leave enough of the nail out to grab it and pull it out. This locks the swing side in place. To check and clean the inside of the box, pull the nail out and swing the side open.

How to make a bluebird box

Information on Eastern bluebirds

• The eggs are usually pale blue or white.• The clutch is usually 3-7 eggs.• The scientific name is Sialia sialis.• Nests are woven out of grass and pine straw,

the nest is lined with feathers, hair, or fine grass.

• Male is dark blue with a bright reddish chest. Female is drab gray-blue with a duller reddish chest.

Picture of a Eastern bluebird

Information on Western bluebirds

• Scientific name is Sialia mexicana.• Clutch size ranges from 2-8 eggs, but usually only 5

eggs.• Male is dark blue with a bright red chest. Female is

drab gray blue with duller reddish chest.• It has been observed that these birds receive help

from other birds, for example Violet-green Swallows have been seen feeding and defending nests for these birds.

Picture of a Western bluebird

Information on Mountain bluebirds

• Western bluebirds compete for cavities with this bird.

• Male is entirely sky blue, and female is gray with blue in wings and tail.

• The clutch is 4-8 eggs, but usually only 5-6 eggs.

• The scientific name is Sialia currucoides.• Sometimes nests are lined with soft bark, hair,

feathers, and fine grass.

Picture of a Mountain bluebird

Credits

• Picture of a western bluebird:• http://www.discoverlife.org/IM/I_JSA/0001/320/Siali

a_mexicana,_Western_Bluebird,I_JSA150.jpg• Picture of a eastern bluebird:

• http://www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org/images/eastern%20bluebird.jpg

Credits

• http://www.pawtographs.com/html/bird_house_plans.html

• This is where the all the on how to make a bluebird box came from.

• Picture of a mountain bluebird: http://www.coveside.biz/bluebird-inset.jpg