Bluebirds have returned to Greensboro. Usually, this time in March, they have found a spot to nest. If you see them in your yard now, likely, they are planning to stay for the season. In this area, bluebirds lay their first eggs about April. Their eggs are usually light blue in color with five-six in the first clutch. These songbirds, a member of the thrush family, are so docile and content to hang around in suburban yards.
The 2012 meeting of the North Carolina Bluebird Society will be held on Saturday, April 12, a couple of counties over, in Hillsborough. (Learn more here). This organization works to protect bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds in North Carolina. North Carolina has quite an active group of people dedicated to attracting and maintaining bluebird habitats. Information online is plentiful. Bluebirds like to be near a water source. The above bluebird was photographed near Lake Higgins. They love insects, but when those are scarce, they eat berries and seeds. Dogwood berries are a real favorite.
There is a lot of mythology surrounding the bluebird. If you want to know more about the 'bluebird of happiness' wikipedia is not a bad place to start. While North Carolina's state bird is the cardinal, the following states have the bluebird as their state bird: Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, and New York. Click here to listen to an eastern bluebird. The 37 second track will repeat all day, if you let it. Heavenly.
Comments