Species Profile:

• Range: A member of the thrush family, the eastern bluebird is the only one of three bluebird species which is native to Louisiana. It's range extends form the Rocky Mountains on the west, all the way to the east coast-and from southern Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Appearance: Eastern bluebirds are relatively small birds-about the size of a small robin. On the male, the head, back, wings, and tail are a strikingly iridescent blue. It's throat, breast, and sides are a bright rusty reddish color, and the belly is pure white. The female resembles the male but is a much duller, grayer color.
• Diet: About two-thirds of the bluebird's diet consists of insects, including many which are considered garden or agricultural pests.
• Habitat: Eastern bluebirds are neither woodland nor urban birds. Open pastures and grasslands with scattered patches of trees make ideal bluebird habitat, but many people in rural (and some suburban) areas have had very good success in attracting nesting bluebirds to their yards. Bluebirds are a "cavity-nesting" species, which means that they will only nest inside some type of small enclosure-either natural or artificial. Unlike woodpeckers, they are incapable of excavating the holes themselves so they have to rely on finding natural hollows in decaying tree branches or old woodpecker holes.
• Breeding Behavior: Adult pairs begin nest building in mid to late February. Shortly after nest building is complete, the female will begin laying one pale blue egg per day, for 4 to 5 days. Incubation of the eggs by the female begins as soon as the last egg is laid. Eggs hatch after 14 days of incubation.

Problems:

• Population Decline: Although once very common across Louisiana and throughout it's range, biologists now estimate that the population of the eastern bluebird may have dropped by as much as 90% or more during the past 4 or 5 decades.
• Causes of Decline:
  Pesticides: As with many other species of wildlife in North America, increases in both use and potency of pesticides is believed to have seriously affected the population of the eastern bluebird.
  Habitat Destruction: Urban sprawl, "clean" farming practices, and other intensive uses of land for human purposes has destroyed or degraded much of the breeding habitat of the eastern bluebird.
  Alien Competition: One of the major causes of decline in bluebird population is the overwhelming competition for nesting cavities between bluebirds and the imported house sparrow and starling. Both of these birds were introduced into the United States by man in the mid-1800's and rapidly spread throughout North America. In many areas they have successfully driven-out most native birds and have become the dominant species. Both sparrows and starlings are cavity-nesters and therefore compete directly with bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds for nesting sites. It is not uncommon for adult male bluebirds to be killed defending their nest against marauding sparrows or starlings.
  Alien Predators: Bluebirds have many natural predators including raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes, and even other birds. Through millions of years of adaptation, bluebirds evolved the characteristics necessary to survive and even flourish in a natural balance with these predators. But for those predators more recently introduced by man (ex.; fire ants and house cats) they have developed no such defense mechanisms. Since bluebirds like nesting close to the ground, their nests are an easy target for hungry fire ants which will sometimes attack, kill, and devour the nestlings soon after hatching. Also, millions of free-roaming house cats prey on both adult bluebirds and their young.

What you can do to help:

• Nest-Boxes: Efforts to help bluebirds by providing specially designed nest-boxes (bird houses) have had remarkable success. In fact, in some areas of the country, organized nest-box programs have restored local bluebird populations to their natural levels in just a few years. East Ascension Sportsman's League members in Ascension Parish La., have built over 1000 bluebird nest-boxes, resulting in a remarkable increase in the bluebird population over the last 10 years.
  A typical bluebird nest-box design is simple, inexpensive, and easy to build. The only critical dimension is the entrance hole which should be exactly 1 ½" in diameter, and positioned 6" above the floor of the box.

  Location: The selection of a good location for mounting bluebird nest-boxes is actually more important than the design of the box. Bluebirds prefer open areas with a few trees. Pastures with scattered trees, large suburban lawns, cemeteries, parks, orchards, and golf courses, are examples of places that make good bluebird nesting locations. Avoid areas that have tall weeds, brush or other ground cover. Typically, grass cutting or other lawn maintenance activities around the nest-box will not frighten the bluebirds into deserting their nest.
  Mounting: Bluebirds will accept nest-boxes mounted at almost any height up to 15 feet. However, mounting the box 4 to 5 feet off the ground is perfectly acceptable, makes for an easier installation, and will discourage house sparrows from using the box.
  Note: Avoid mounting bluebird boxes on large trees or buildings. Installing a metal or wooden post in an open area works best. Mounting to an existing post along a 'cleared' fence-row also works very well.
  Monitoring: The bluebirds occupying your nest-box will get along fine without any attention from you. However, watching the progress of a bluebird family can be fun and educational, and if done correctly will not significantly disturb the birds. Children find it especially fascinating, but remember that young children should be closely supervised whenever examining nest-boxes. Almost all bluebird boxes are designed with easy opening top, side, or front panels. Attentive bluebird "landlords" can check-in on their guests by opening the box no more than once or twice a week during nesting. If the female is on the nest when you approach, gently tap on the side of the box so she can leave before you open the door. Take a quick look inside (be careful not to touch the eggs or nestlings) then close the door and quietly walk away. The mother bluebird will return as soon as you leave. Important: DO NOT open the door of the nest-box when the nestlings are more than 12 days old or they may be frightened into leaving the safety of their nest-box prematurely. Young bluebirds typically leave the nest about 17 days after hatching and will not return to their nest-box.
  Cleaning: An adult pair of bluebirds may raise 2 or 3 broods of young per season. Remove the old nest from the box as soon as the nestlings leave and very often the adults will immediately begin the whole nesting process over again.