Bluebirds?

[CornerstoneAcre]

I was wondering a couple of things. Here in Michigan I can't say as I ever remember seeing a bluebird in winter. (not to say they aren't here of course). I had a pair have a clutch of babies this year in a house I put up. I was outside today and saw 4 bluebirds all carrying "nest materials" in their beaks trying to all get into the nest box. Do bluebirds normally fly south in the winter? Or are they planning to hole up in that nest box? I was wondering what to feed them if they decide to stay? I thought they were mainly insect eaters, but there won't be any of those this winter. If these birds are "nesting" like this could this be a "bad winter" type of sign?

[Rita]

Some stores sell grubs or other live food. I think I saw some in Garden's Alive catalog. We see our bluebirds in the winter occasionally but I don't think they stay in the nest boxes. I have heard that sometimes a nest box will be opened in the Spring to find dead bluebirds stacked up. Hope I never see that!

[Karenrbw]

Our bluebirds hang around in the winter. We are a bit south of you, but it still gets pretty chilly here. I see four or five go into a birdhouse in the winter to keep warm.

[KMA1]

Cornerstone,

I don't think eastern bluebirds hang around in michigan for the winters. They migrate further south. But not necessarily very far south. Just about the southern tip of the southern Great lake according to a field guide I had handy. I don't think they would overwinter in your nesting box. Might be trying for a late season nest, but this is too late for that. Bluebirds may nst as many as 3 clutches successfully during a season.

[stormwalker]

Originally Posted by Rita

Some stores sell grubs or other live food. I think I saw some in Garden's Alive catalog. We see our bluebirds in the winter occasionally but I don't think they stay in the nest boxes. I have heard that sometimes a nest box will be opened in the Spring to find dead bluebirds stacked up. Hope I never see that!

You can buy a container of mealworms at any pet store.
Then you can make your own mealworm farm with oatmeal, wheat bran and an occasional piece of apple or potato for moisture.

[Callieslamb]

Originally Posted by KMA1

Cornerstone,

I don't think eastern bluebirds hang around in michigan for the winters. They migrate further south. But not necessarily very far south. Just about the southern tip of the southern Great lake according to a field guide I had handy. I don't think they would overwinter in your nesting box. Might be trying for a late season nest, but this is too late for that. Bluebirds may nst as many as 3 clutches successfully during a season.

That's where I am. I'd love to have some bluebirds here! All I can seem to attract are the sparrows. I did have a ton of goldfinches in my sunflowers last year. I loved watching them.

[copperkid3]

bluebirds went south for the winter. Our property was selected many years ago by members of
the Dahlem Center, to be suitable to put up a number of bluebird boxes to help re-establish the
species. Apparently they were successful as we started having a number of birds set up shop and
then return with their offspring over the ensuing years. A couple of winters ago, I happened to
notice during the MIDDLE of winter, that there were a flock of 12or more bluebirds
hanging around the area and saw several go into the remaining nest boxes. Contacted the members
when they came by to check and clean out the old nests, the following spring and mentioned
my observations. They confirmed that many flocks are now staying over and not flying south any
longer; said that sometimes 6 or more birds will hold up in each box and apparently do quite well.

So much for global warming......in fact, I saw a number of my birds yesterday and they look like they're going to stay.


BTW: CornerstoneAcre, what part of Michigan are you located in?

[KMA1]

Callieslamb, English Sparrow population explosion was one of the major factors in the decline of bluebird populations accross the United States. They have often overwhelmed the population in some areas to the point that there are no bluebirds left. If you are interested, I would suggest you build or buy some boxes built specifically for bluebirds. You migh then be able to recruit some new birds to your area as they migrate through in spring if you have good habitat. The boxes should 1) have a hole 1.25 inches in diameter, 2) should have adequate ventilation, 3) hould be mounted betwnn 4 and 6 feet off the ground, and 4) should have a predator guard to limit predation by snakes, cats, raccoons ect. If you still have problems with sparrows, you might try only partially roofed houses that are 1 foot or deeper, but screened over the open roof area. Studies show that bluebirds will use sub-optimum housing if outcompeted for better housing. You also might want to start a campaign of english sparrow eradication around your place, most effectively done by targeting nest sitting female sparrows and killing them and the eggs. A good shot with a bb or pellet gun can also help.

Copperkid, reading back over my original post, I realized it was confusing. Yes, you are absolutely correct that bluebirds do use houses and other cavities for shelter where they overwinter. However, I am not aware of bluebirds building nests for overwintering. I did not know that bluebirds were wintering further north, however that wouldn't be a big suprise because other species have also been found to be doing the same thing, presumably due to global warming.

[JasoninMN]

Bluebirds will communal roost in nest boxes at night. My guess would be they were adding some extra bedding and spent the night in the box. Most likely they will move on.

[ksfarmer]

Important to keep water available, even in the winter. Just a trickle in my waterfall was enough to attract them.

[stormwalker]

[QUOTE=ksfarmer;5461042
Important to keep water available, even in the winter. Just a trickle in my waterfall was enough to attract them.[/QUOTE]

Good point! A true necessity.

[billfosburgh]

we usually have a few stay the winter here with us. sometimes people think they are seeing bluebirds in the winter when they are Indigo Buntings

I have bluebird nest boxes & they're used every year . There was 3 sitting on top of one of the boxes yesterday . They do use them in the winter . I have also seen bluebirds out in the woods in winter while deer hunting .