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Baby Bluebirds fly the coop (6 photos)

Freelance writer, Rosaleen Egan describes the birds who have been visiting this season

I have written about Eastern Bluebirds in this space before. They are fabulous fine-feathered friends and my closest neighbours.

The adults fought valiantly to secure both nesting boxes in the early spring from House Sparrows, and later prohibited Tree Swallows from nesting in the vacant property. Apparently, if more than one nesting box is available, the female will prepare empty ones but only lay eggs in one. This explains the prolonged protection of the empty box; she felt ownership.

For about three weeks, I watched the adults drop down and pick worms and other bugs from the ground and take them to the nest. Bluebirds primarily eat insects, wild fruit and berries.

It was curious to see them whack a worm several times, either on the spot or on top of the nesting box before taking it inside. Perhaps it is to make sure it’s dead so it can’t wriggle out of hungry mouths, perhaps to make it easier to divide among those mouths, or maybe just a bit of tenderizing to make it more palatable.

I don’t know for sure how many hungry mouths there were in the nesting box. I saw three. Eastern Bluebirds have one–three broods in breeding season, each with 2-7 eggs. Nesting period ranges 17 to 21 days.

Last Sunday, there was unusual bluebird excitement. Every once in awhile, the adults flew straight up in the air over the adjacent hay field and dive back down. I had never seen this before. They also hovered over it before going down into it and back up. According to allaboutbirds.org, “Bluebirds can sight their tiny prey items from 60 feet or more away.”

It was sometime after I first saw this odd behaviour, I was able to spot a fledgling in the tree at the end of my deck. I think they were getting special treats for it, while also tending to those still in the nesting box.

Once, I noticed the male go to the nesting box with an insect, and then sit a tantalizing distance from it where a couple of heads peaked out waiting for their dinner. It then flew back into the tree. Just as the birds in the box seemed to indicate from their facial expressions, I thought the dad was playing favourites. I have since read that adults withhold food to encourage fledglings to leave the nest. It seems a bit nasty.

It was early evening when I witnessed all of this. I thought my presence on the deck might make the birds nervous so I stayed away for the rest of the night. In the morning, there was no immediate sign of any bluebirds. This made me nervous. Eventually, I spied the adults on the other side of the laneway where there are more densely leafed trees.

I was comforted to read on birdsoftheworld.org that bluebird fledglings can fly. “Fledglings typically remain in or near cover for first 7–10 d after departing nest, becoming more mobile later, while following adults over longer distances,”it added.

The adults are back from time to time at the nesting box, and may reuse it for the next brood. First broods of bluebirds do not stay with the parents through the summer. A later brood will likely stay, and then also migrate with the parents.

I feel a little grandmotherly towards this first brood. I wish them well on their journey through life.

I share experiences of bird visitors to this property with readers every couple of weeks. Until next time, keep your eye to the sky, and look for birds that may come by.

Rosaleen Egan is a freelance journalist, a storyteller, and a playwright. She blogs on her website rosiewrites.com.