Milan Community News and Events

The Eastern Bluebird is New York’s state bird. Around the turn of the century, this beautiful and musical bird’s population began to decline due mainly to the following reasons:

1. Habitat Loss -- Over the years, land clearing for development and agriculture has taken a toll on forest, meadow, wetland and other natural habitats. The ideal bluebird habitat is an open field, pasture, meadow, park and even a large lawn with nearby trees for nesting, protective cover and perching. The perching is part of the behavior that enables bluebirds to observe the open short grass habitats for insects, their main summer food. Many bluebirds migrate but some remain here all year dependent on many kinds of wild berries for their winter food supply. The supply of berries has also decreased over the years and there is intense competition from other bird species for the same food supplies.

2. Reduction in Nesting Sites -- Bluebirds utilize the natural cavities of trees for nesting. Removal of old and dead trees as well as the reduction of forest habitat has diminished the availability of suitable nesting sites which results in population decline.

3. Competition For Nesting Sites -- There are two introduced and very aggressive birds (English Sparrows and European Starlings) that are also cavity nesters. They often drive away the more timid bluebirds. In addition, there are other bird species that compete for cavity nest sites such as Chickadees, Great-crested Flycatchers, Titmice, Woodpeckers and Tree Swallows.

Fortunately, Eastern Bluebirds are beginning to increase primarily because of the help they are receiving from caring people. The nest boxes that people place in appropriate habitats are an important way to make a difference for these beautiful birds. Bluebird nest boxes can be purchased already made or can be homemade as a family project. There are certain ideal dimensions for nest box building that will best attract the birds.

Nest Box Placement -- A nest box should be placed at the edge of the habitats that bluebirds prefer.

Position -- Nest boxes may be pole mounted, 5 - 6 feet off the ground, and away from trees to discourage predators. The best way to avoid competition for the boxes from other cavity nesters is to place boxes in pairs 5 -15 feet apart and approximately 100 yards from other nest box pairs. For example, Tree Swallows and bluebirds are territorial and will not allow their own kind to nest nearby. They will however nest close to each other. Therefore paired boxes will often have bluebirds in one box and tree swallows in the other box. As an extra benefit, both species are an excellent control of insect pests.

Bluebird Biology -- Bluebird boxes should be ready by mid-March when the migrating bird population returns to New York. The male bluebird will establish a territory and begin to seek a suitable nest cavity. Bluebirds will utilize a box to construct a nest that is made of fine grass. It takes up to 2 weeks to build the nest. They lay 4 - 6 eggs that are light blue but can sometimes be white (5 - 7% of the time). The eggs are incubated for 12 - 14 days. The male and female care for the young in the nest for about 18 - 21 days. There may be 2 - 3 broods during the breeding season. The boxes may be opened from time to time to observe the progress, but avoid disturbing nestlings that are 12 or more days old. The fledglings will be dependent on and remain with their parents for approximately 2 weeks after leaving the nest box.

Avoiding Pesticide Use -- Bluebirds eat insects and are therefore very vulnerable to pesticide poisons. Chemicals not only kill birds but also infiltrate their runoff which can affect wetlands and groundwater at and far from your home.

Building a bluebird nest box is simple, inexpensive and enjoyable and it can bring nature to your property. It can also be a project for scouts or science classes that brings the pleasure of seeing the activity at a nest box of these brilliantly blue-feathered birds.

You can contact Milan Insider (milaninsider.com@frontier.com) for further information regarding bluebird nest boxes, including placement, maintenance, predator avoidance, and box building plans. Or for other facts and information, visit the North American Bluebird Society’s web site at www.nabluebirdsociety.org.