Written by MGV Paula Bleakley
The phrase “bluebird on your shoulder” symbolizes happiness or good fortune. Who doesn’t smile when they see a picture of a chubby little bluebird in its pretty orange vest? But having one in your own backyard garden is even better-and watching them is simply irresistible. How do we attract bluebirds?
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a year-round resident throughout Florida. Nest Building can begin as early as mid-February, with active nests completed by March.
Last fall, I decided to do a little research on How to Attract Bluebirds to my backyard. I quickly learned that they aren’t particularly interested in birdseed. During breeding season, they prefer insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers. In winter, they rely more heavily on berries and fruit.
Bluebirds thrive in semi-open environments where they have a clear line of sight for their “scan and swoop” hunting technique. From a high perch, they watch for prey and then swoop down to catch it on the ground.
Attracting Bluebirds
The key to attracting bluebirds is providing the right kind of birdhouse. An ideal bluebird house has a 5-by-5-inch floor and a 1 ½ -inch-diameter entrance hole. It should be mounted on a smooth metal pole 8 to 10 feet above the ground. A baffle helps deter climbing predators such as snakes, raccoons, and cats. Positioning the opening toward a large, open area is also important.
I bought my bluebird house at Green Isles Nursery, but if you’re handy, there are plenty of plans available online. I was skeptical that it would work—but within two weeks, we had bluebirds!
Nest Building
A single nesting cycle lasts about four to six weeks. The female chooses the location and builds a cup-shaped nest from pine needles and fine grasses, usually completing it in about five days.
Once the nest is finished, she lays a clutch of four to five pale blue eggs, typically one egg each day. After the final egg is laid, incubation begins and lasts 13 to 16 days. The chicks hatch and remain in the nest for another 16 to 21 days before they fledge.
And bluebirds don’t stop after raising just one brood. They can raise multiple broods in a single year.
I had read that once the bluebirds leave after nesting, you should clean out the birdhouse so they can return the following year. So, thinking the nest was empty and the bluebirds were finished for the season, I approached the box.
Suddenly, out flew Mama bird!
Apparently, we weren’t finished with our bluebirds after all. They were regular residents in our backyard from mid-October through the end of May this year.
Birdbaths
And there was one more thing they especially loved: the birdbath. Bluebirds were the most frequent visitors to ours this spring, stopping by for drinks, baths, and a little backyard entertainment.
I set out to attract a few bluebirds. Instead, I discovered that once you make your backyard inviting to them, they may decide to stay awhile.
“And I must admit—I’m pretty happy they did.”
Visit us at the Discovery Gardens, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778. It is adjacent the Lake County Agriculture Center. We’re open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 9am-3pm. We have a new bluebird house to place … come and see where Master Gardener Volunteer Paula Bleakley will be placing the new birdhouse?
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