Attracting Eastern Bluebirds to Your Yard
Eastern Bluebirds have vibrant blue backs, rusty-red bellies, and white underbellies that are a sight to behold and sought after by many bird enthusiasts. If you’re looking to attract eastern bluebirds to your yard, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll explore the
Eastern Bluebird Diet,
Feeding Eastern Bluebirds,
Habitat and Nesting.
Eastern Bluebird Diet
Eastern Bluebirds are insectivores, which means they consume insects and other small invertebrates. The Eastern Bluebird diet consists of insects, berries, crickets, spiders, earthworms, snails, grasshoppers, beetles, lizards, and frogs.
Feeding Eastern Bluebirds
If you’re interested in feeding Eastern Bluebirds, you can use platform feeders suspended in open spaces. Some of the best foods for Eastern Bluebirds include dried mealworms, live mealworms, wax worms, butter worms, nightcrawlers, and suet.
Butter worms and wax worms may not last long in hot weather, but they are great for use during the cooler seasons. In addition, you can attract Eastern Bluebirds by planting berry bushes close to your feeder and property.
Eastern Bluebirds love to eat berries, and this will create a food source close by. If you don’t have any berry bushes nearby, you can purchase some from a local nursery and plant them in your yard.
Habitat and Nesting
Proper habitat is essential if you want to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard. Eastern Bluebirds require open spaces where they can fly, hunt for insects, and feel safe from predators.
They are cavity nesters and will readily use birdhouses with the proper entrance hole size. When choosing a birdhouse for Eastern Bluebirds, it’s important to ensure that it has ventilation and drainage holes to keep the living environment dry and cool.
Eastern Bluebirds prefer to nest in fresh birdhouses, so be sure to clean and disinfect the birdhouse every year after the breeding season. Branches or twigs can be added to the birdhouse to give them a good place to perch.
Bluebirds and Bird Feeders
Feeding Bluebirds from Feeders
In addition to using a platform feeder, you can also use a feeder that is designed for live foods. These feeders are typically constructed from wire mesh and allow live insects to move through.
To feed Eastern Bluebirds, live mealworms, butter worms, and wax worms can be used. Fill the feeder with the worms and hang it in an open area of your yard.
Once bluebirds have found the feeder, they will continue to return for food.
Other Foods for Bluebirds
Suet is another great food source for Eastern Bluebirds. You can purchase pre-made suet cakes or make your own.
Suet cakes made for woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches can be used to feed Eastern Bluebirds. These cakes can be placed in a suet cage or hung from a tree branch.
Additionally, you can make your own suet by mixing together cornmeal, peanut butter, and lard. Heat and pour this mixture into a baking pan, allow it to cool, and then cut into squares.
Attracting Bluebirds to Your Yard
If you want to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard, consider providing a steady supply of mealworms, berry bushes, and a birdhouse. Avoid using insecticides in your yard, as these will remove the food sources that Eastern Bluebirds rely on.
When it comes to the location of the feeder, be sure to place it in an open and safe area that is easily visible to Eastern Bluebirds. In conclusion, attracting Eastern Bluebirds into your yard requires the provision of proper food and habitat.
Just like any other wild animal, Eastern Bluebirds will quickly discover a reliable food source or nesting opportunity and will continue to return to that area. By following the tips provided in this article, you’ll be able to successfully attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard and watch these delightful birds bring joy to you and your loved ones.
Bluebirds and Water
A crucial aspect of caring for Eastern Bluebirds is ensuring they have access to clean water for drinking and bathing. Water is essential for digestion and helps in keeping their feathers clean and healthy.
In this article, we will discuss the drinking habits of bluebirds, options for creating bird baths, birdbath maintenance, and the importance of providing fresh and clean water all year round.
Drinking Habits of Bluebirds
Eastern Bluebirds prefer clean water for drinking. Without access to clean water, bluebirds can become sick or dehydrated.
It is recommended to provide a birdbath with a wide and shallow base to allow the bluebirds to drink and bathe in the water safely. Eastern Bluebirds generally prefer water that is 1-2 inches deep.
Birdbath Maintenance
A birdbath needs to be regularly maintained to ensure that it remains clean for the bluebirds. When the birdbath becomes dirty, it can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, algae, and mosquitoes.
To avoid this, birdbaths should be cleaned regularly with a mild soap and warm water. After cleaning, ensure that the birdbath is thoroughly rinsed with clean water.
It is essential to replace the water in the birdbath regularly. During the summer months, it is recommended to fill the birdbath with fresh water daily.
During winter, the water can be left for longer periods if the birdbath is not frozen. If the temperature is below freezing, replace the water as soon as it melts to prevent ice buildup.
Bluebirds in Winter
Eastern Bluebirds are migratory birds but some might stay in colder climates for the winter. During the winter, their diet changes, and the availability of food becomes more limited.
In this section, we will cover the winter diet of bluebirds and the winter habitat for bluebirds.
Winter Diet of Bluebirds
In the winter months, Eastern Bluebirds rely on a combination of fruit and insect suit blends to provide the nourishment they need. Some of the best fruits for bluebirds in the winter include elderberry, holly, and sumac.
Supplementing these fruits with mealworms and other insects can provide bluebirds with the necessary protein needed to keep them strong and healthy. Another great food source for bluebirds during the winter months is suet.
Suet is high in calories and is an excellent source of energy. Homemade suet can be made by mixing lard, peanut butter, and cornmeal, which can be formed into balls and hung from poles or trees.
Winter Habitat for Bluebirds
To increase the chances of bluebirds surviving the winter, they must have access to suitable winter habitats. Bluebirds require berry bushes, such as those that produce elderberry, holly, and juniper, to provide enough food.
It is recommended to plant these bushes near birdhouses and feeders to help attract bluebirds and provide them with an easy source of food. Specific plant species, such as Eastern Red Cedar, Wax Myrtle, and American Holly, can also be planted to provide the necessary cover and protection bluebirds need from harsh winds and cold during the winter.
These plants are also attractive perches for bluebirds to use while searching for food. In conclusion, providing clean water and the right food and habitat is crucial for keeping bluebirds healthy and thriving throughout the year.
In the winter, it’s essential to adjust bird feeders and birdbaths to cater to bluebirds’ changing needs to support them throughout the colder months. By following the tips provided in this article, you will be able to provide a safe and supportive environment for Eastern bluebirds, all year round.
In conclusion, understanding the Eastern Bluebird’s diet, feeding habits, water requirements, and winter needs will help you create an ideal environment where these magnificent birds can thrive and bring joy to your home. Remember to provide a variety of food sources, clean water, and safe habitats throughout the year to attract and support Eastern Bluebirds.
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started:
FAQs:
Q: What kind of food should I offer Eastern Bluebirds? A: Dried mealworms, live mealworms, wax worms, and suet are all excellent food options for Eastern Bluebirds.
Q: How do I keep the birdbath clean? A: To keep the birdbath clean, use mild soap and warm water to clean it, rinse thoroughly, and replace the water daily to avoid bacteria growth.
Q: What can I do to attract Eastern Bluebirds to my yard? A: You can attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard by providing a steady supply of mealworms, berry bushes, and a birdhouse.
Avoid using insecticides in your yard and place the feeder in an open and safe area that is easily visible to Eastern Bluebirds. Q: What should I do to maintain the bird feeders for Bluebirds?
A: Keep Bluebird feeders healthy by checking the food daily and cleaning the feeder once every two weeks to prevent mold or bacteria growth. Q: How can I help Eastern Bluebirds during the winter?
A: Support Eastern Bluebirds in the winter by providing access to suitable winter habitats and feeding them with the right combination of fruit, insect suet blends, and suet balls or feeders.