Eastern Bluebird ~ Sialia sialis

This morning I tossed a few more seeds on the front porch rail, sat down here at the computer, gazing at the brilliant white of sun on frozen snow, telling myself "no more bird photos today, need to get on with other projects while confined to the house for another day"...........................................


.................when who arrived right outside the window forcing me to grab a camera off the dining room table, slowly raise the blinds, and start snapping away, the delightful Madame Bluebird, bringing proverbial happiness!

She stayed a few minutes, her spindly legs and feet seemingly glued to the sparkling snow, eating a few seeds, looking out over the garden and posing for the camera. I say 'she' because of her duller blue, the male being brighter.


Through the 1940's to the 1970's, the population of the Eastern Bluebird spiraled downward due to changing agricultural practices eliminating nesting sites, pesticide poisoning and some severe winters. This has now been reversed thanks to backyard birders, conservation organizations and farmers, by placing incredible numbers of nesting boxes throughout the their range. The birds responded and are now on the rebound, even becoming common in some areas including here in North Carolina.

The critical feature of a bluebird nest box is its entrance hole which must be exactly 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) in diameter to prevent use of the box by starlings. In addition, the birds prefer boxes located in field type settings with scattered trees not closer than 25 feet.

(Info. from Garden Bird Facts)

Eastern Bluebird ~ visiting the porch January 31, 2010

To see other visitors to the garden yesterday during the snowfall, check my previous post.