Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis ) are
fascinating, beautiful creatures. This website was developed as a resource
for people interested in helping bluebirds and other native cavity-nesters survive and thrive. See the Site Map (index) or Pulldown (Jump) Menu for an alphabetical list of topics covered.
Photo by S. Harris - 15 day old Eastern Bluebird nestlings
Picture of the week , Video of the Month , I found an egg - can I incubate it? , How to make a Noel Guard , How to make a Hutchings guard , Differences among cavity nesters , Oak Titmouse nest photos , Migratory Bird Treaty Act , Egg production (graphic photo of dissected bird ) Flying Squirrel bio , Flying Squirrel nests and photos , nestcam blog 2008 , NABS 2008 notes and photos , How to make a conical baffle , Bumblebees in a nestbox , Bluebird Battles , Anting or Sunbathing , Unusual Nest Site Photo s, Facts about feathers , White-breasted Nuthatch bio , Photo Series of nests, eggs and young , Egg Comparison , Birdcams , Hole Size Tests , Hole Restrictors , Preferred nesting habitat by species , free handouts for talks , and a whole lot more.
General
Info : Basic information on how to
attract nesting bluebirds,
including do's and don'ts and a nesting
timetable . A good starting
point for beginners. Flyers :
A handout that can be given to people with a nestbox, or used by bluebird organizations (just add your logo.) The Bluebird Nut Cafe has also developed a general pamphlet that you can view or print for
people who might be interested in putting up a nestbox/trail. Another handout is available for people who have birdhouses being used by House Sparrows. See other handouts here . Children's Bluebirdy Activities :
Coloring pages, nursery rhyme, games (the wrong
nestbox , compare the nestboxes , match
birds with their nests , put bluebirds in sequence from
egg to adult), a scavenger hunt, quilt patterns, origami, children's
books on bluebirding, Native American story , Bird's Nest Parfait story, etc. Conferences : Notes from NABS 2006 , NABS 2008 Feeding : Mealworms (with
plans for a simple feeder ), and suet recipes. How to raise your own mealworms . Halo :
Information on the Magic Halo developed by the University of Nebraska
to deter House Sparrows from bird feeders. Heat : Experimental shields in Texas to protect nestlings from high temperatures.History :
House Sparrows : Landscaping
for Bluebirds : List
of non-invasive plants that produce berries eaten by bluebirds.Links and
Resources : A comprehensive list of resources on bluebirds; links to information on identification, bluebird organizations,
feeding, nestboxes, predators and parasites; and more. Reviews and
sources of books on bluebirding and birding. Monitoring : Myths :
a dozen common misconceptions about bluebirds and bluebirding. Nestboxes :
Nests and Eggs : A guide to recognizing nests and eggs of other cavity nesters that may use bluebird nestboxes. Also see: Other Cavity Nesters (attracting,
info): Photographs :
Photo album of cavity nesting adults, nests and eggs Cavity nester photo series (nests, eggs and young ):
Bluebirds from egg to empty nest , with a runt who lagged behind Bluebird Battles (aerial battles with HOSP, Starlings, Cowbirds, etc.) House Sparrows (adults, M and F, young, eggs, nests) Picture of the week with explanatory info - (submittals welcome! )Birdcam Photo Album Tree Swallow adults The Rainbox links to other sites with albums.Nestbox cam set ups; 2006 blog ; 2007 blog Birdcam set up (exterior, motion activated still camera) Wall of Shame : Photos of commercial establishments with HOSP breeding and/or feeding at their facilities. Weird Eggs Unusual nest sites - metal poles, breaker boxes, etc. Also see Video Clips
Problems and Solutions :
Problem or Predator ID : Chart listing predators/problems, signs, and solutions Predator Guards to deter climbing raccoons, snakes, cats (PVC and Stovepipe)General information on a variety of topics like ants, blowflies, etc. Anting or Sunbathing Battles between bluebirds and other birds Baffles and Predator Guards - Wobbling Stovepipe/Kingston , Conical , Noel , Hutchings
Bears - Preventing Attacks (nestboxes and nestlings) Bumblebees Cats - Protecting cavity nesters from Cowbird egg in nestbox Dead Tree Swallow (adult or nestling) in boxHole restrictors/reducers/guards and Hole Size Tests HOSP management : ID, the problem, active and passive management choices House Wrens - deterring . Also see HOWR Biology , Video of Egg Attack , and Another Perspective . Heat shields How to do a nest change Fecal glue in a nestbox How to make kerfs on a nestbox (to enable fledging) Hypothermia, preventing Incubation - can you incubate an egg you found Pairing nestboxes (when Tree Swallow populations are high)Paperwasps (European and Native) Premature Fledgling, Preventing during monitoring Convincing someone to monitor their nestboxes Lyme disease and bluebirding (prevention, symptoms, etc.) Mice and rats in nestboxes Vandalism on the trail - Preventing Window strikes - Preventing
Resources : Great links and resources , glossary , book reviews , suppliers of bluebird-related products , ideas for nature-related gifts , Migratory Bird Treaty Act Site Map Search function Suet
Recipes :
A collection of easy recipes that bluebirds and other birds will
relish. Suppliers/Retailers books , videos, mealworms,
gifts, nestboxes, nestbox cameras, traps, etc. A list of nature-related gift ideas . Trail s:
All are located
in northeastern CT.
Layout and results for the Chimalis bluebird trail
Robert V. Smith Memorial Bluebird Trai l at a closed CT landfill. A new experimental "Hill Trail " was started in 2007.
A fourth trail in Roseland Park was "adopted" in 2008.
Trail logs show box by box results, and Trail Reports summarize results and lessons learned. There's also info about me and why I am a bluebirder.
Video Clips : Wrens : information on deterring House Wrens if they are destroying eggs of other cavity-nesters. Also see All About House Wrens (biology) Best
of Bluebird_L Classifieds : A separate website that captures postings
from the Cornell Bluebird Listserv, categorized them by hundreds
of topics. The archives contain a wealth of information from experienced bluebirders.About this website :
May all your blues be birds!
HOME Basics | Resources | House Sparrows | House Wrens | Nest/Egg ID | Site Map and Search | Suet
Recipes | Tree Swallows | Contact me Bluebird Conservation
May all your blues be birds!
Photo in header
by Wendell
Long . If you experience problems with the website/find
broken links/have suggestions/corrections , please contact me !http://www.sialis.org or
a citation for the author .
No permission is granted for commercial use. disclaimer ,
necessitated by today's sadly litigious world. Chimalis .
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