Pair of Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) on a log with nesting materialMy Other Popular Bluebird Photos:
We have had 4 bluebirds hanging around our house and mooching sunflower hearts since last fall. I think it’s the mom, dad and 2 young’uns from last year, but I’m not sure. Soon, though, the two little guys will be gone. Whereas all 4 birds fed in turn at my feeders, the dominant male now shoos the others away. Daddy Bluebird wants no competition for the hand of his betrothed. He has already begun his love song regimen.
A bluebird does not have the sweet voice of a wren or a mockingbird. They make “churtle-churtle” noises” but apparently the lady bluebirds like those tunes.
My bluebird pair has not quite decided which of three houses they might nest in, but I expect it to be the one they used successfully last year for two broods. Sometimes, bluebirds will have 3 clutches and I have heard of occasions where they had four nests. That’s a lot of baby blue birds to feed. I have found that if the blues pull off two successful nests, that’s enough for one summer.
My blues are courting now and will begin nesting in April. It’s great to have the beautiful, friendly birds around, “Churtles” and all.