saving the bluebird

         We have power of life and death over many of the creatures of the Earth. The everyday choices we make can have tremendous consequences, both malefic and beneficial, to the living fabric of our world.

           Early in the last century, citizens of The U.S. Canada And Bermuda Formed a movement whose actions prevented the endangerment and possible extinction of what they then sometimes referred to as the blue robin.

           Bluebird populations had been waxing and waning in response to human activities since the time of European settlement. The clearing of the land for pastures orchards or gardens created hospitable spaces for the bluebird. Something as simple as a post hole in a fence or a crevice in a barn became housing for a then thriving bluebird population. Early American agriculturalists bore a hatred for the chicken hawk, which they would often shoot, thinning out the population of bluebird predators. For a time the bluebird multiplied its number.

            Sometime around 1900 starlings were introduced into the North American continent from Europe. It has been said this was done merely as a novelty but it was an amusement that was to have catastrophic consequences for the bluebird population. Starlings evict bluebirds from their habitat and eat the berries which make up a significant portion of their diet.

          Just as human folly had brought about the horrific debacle it would take the actions of a broad coalition of people to rescue them from at least near oblivion. The response by a concerned citizenry was to erect birdhouses, [often called nest boxes] across the range of bluebird habitation in the U.S., lower Canada and Bermuda.

             These nest sites made up what was then dubbed Bluebird trails. Later in 1938 a combination of bird enthusiasts, garden clubs and the Missouri Highway Department established the National Bluebird trail.

          The birdhouses were made of cedar and most importantly had entry holes too small for the larger invasive starling to enter [4cm]. They were made following a design invented by Dr. Thomas E. Musselman of Quincy Illinois. His mailbox type birdhouse allowed bird enthusiasts to view inside the box by lifting the lid, enabling them to inspect inside. They then were able to determine not only whether it had been occupied but the state of the occupants. This greatly eased the pressure on bluebird populations but other problems faced them.

           Around the same time the starling was introduced another European species made its arrival, the house sparrow. Unlike the starling the house sparrow can fit through holes fashioned for a bluebird. The havoc they wreak is horrific. These invaders destroy the eggs of songbirds kill nestlings and even adults.

           As an invasive species house swallows enjoy no protection under law. It is a difficult task to put an animal to death, especially for bird lovers but this is the only method of protection for bluebirds and other songbirds from these aggressors. Some birders have fashioned traps which fit into bluebird houses. Once a sparrow is trapped it is placed into a larger trap that allows entry but bars exit. The sparrows are gregarious and are attracted to others of their species. Enthusiasts have reported great results with this method.

        Another way people can help the bluebird is to plant a variety of berry bushes that bear fruit at different times of the year. Especially helpful are berries that last into winter the most taxing season. Some winter berries are,Bayberry, Black haw, Choke berry, Juniper common, Cotoneaster small leaved, Firethorn, Holly foster, Mistletoe, Sumac smooth, Sumac dwarf, Sumac staghorn, Viburnum and Waxmyrtle.