With our help, eastern bluebirds nest in Nebraska

By Carole A. Closter

Although we are on the western edge of their range, eastern bluebirds do nest in Nebraska—and I will take you on a typical May trip to monitor nesting boxes at Nine Mile Prairie in Lincoln, Neb.

When I approach the first pair of nesting boxes, several small blue-black and white birds challenge and dive-bomb me. As I suspect, they aren’t bluebirds but a pair of tree swallows with six tiny white eggs, encircled by feathers, in a grass nest. The pair call in reinforcements to harass me, so I quickly move on. The next box, 10 feet away, is empty. When I set up nest boxes, I pair them, because bluebirds and tree swallows are territorial and will keep other members of their species from nesting nearby. One box is available for bluebirds, who pick insects from the ground. The other is for tree swallows, who catch insects in the air.

I see a bird on the fence near the next pair of boxes. Using binoculars, I identify the male eastern bluebird with his bright blue back, wings and tail and his contrasting orange breast. I hear his soft, melodious whistle. Eagerly I approach the box, give it a warning tap, speak softly and peek in. Out flies Mrs. Bluebird, revealing five light blue eggs in a neat grassy cup nest. I leave so she can continue incubating on this cool morning.

A female bluebird lays one egg per day until the clutch is complete at four to five eggs. Then she begins incubating them so that all the young will hatch together. In Nebraska, bluebirds usually nest twice, occasionally three times, from late spring into summer. At the same time, tree swallows claim their own territory, collect grass and feathers and then nest once, producing six to eight eggs.

I’m looking forward to the next box. My reports show five newly hatched bluebirds from two weeks ago, and then feathered nestlings last week. Peering in—an empty nest! All five young fledged (successfully left the nest) and will not return to it. The grass nest still looks neat and clean because the adults remove the fecal sacs.

A few tree swallows hover near the next box, twittering at me. When I look inside, I am surprised to see a tree swallow glaring back. No, I won’t disturb her. Two weeks ago, eight tiny eggs were present, and they may be hatching under her now.

Continuing on, I note in my report the nesting activity of both species in my 20 boxes. They both incubate eggs about 14 days before hatching. Then the parents must feed insects to the nestlings until they are ready to leave the nest in 14 to18 days.

Why do we put up these birdhouses? Do bluebirds really need our help finding homes? Unfortunately, yes.

Bluebirds traditionally nested in cavities—holes in dead trees or in old rotten fence posts. With increased settlement, dead trees were cleared, grasslands plowed, steel posts replaced wood, and pesticides killed their food and sometimes even the birds themselves. Two aggressive, imported species, the house sparrow and the European starling, out-competed them for nesting sites.

Naturalists believed that if natural cavities were not available, bluebirds would nest in man-made cavities. So in the mid 1980s, following recommendations of the Minnesota Bluebird Recovery Program, Wachiska Audubon Society members built and placed about 20 boxes at Nine Mile Prairie. Bluebirds quickly adopted the boxes and tolerated our weekly monitoring. Cheered by this success, Wachiska members cooperated with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to erect about 200 boxes in various state park areas, which members now monitor.

In 1993, Steve Eno and other bluebird enthusiasts formed Bluebirds Across Nebraska (BAN). The organization conducts educational workshops statewide, builds boxes, recommends trail locations for members and educates the public about bluebird conservation. I have enjoyed monitoring boxes for Audubon and BAN for over 20 years. In 1986–1987, I chaired Wachiska’s bluebird committee, coordinating volunteers’ weekly monitoring of bluebird trails at both Nine Mile Prairie and the state park areas.

What attracts bluebirds? Proper box location is most important. When bluebirds leave the southern states and arrive here in late winter, they scout around for a choice area. They prefer grassy areas with a few scattered trees or a nearby fence where they can perch to look for insects. Short grass or mowed areas are preferred, as they feed on insects on the ground. A box should be at least 100 yards from wooded areas to discourage wrens from taking over the nest. Tree swallows are welcome to use the boxes, and we often find them nesting 10 feet from bluebirds. To ensure adequate food sources for young, paired boxes should be at least 100 yards from the next pair. Ideal sites are state parks, cemeteries, pastures and near lightly traveled gravel roads. Avoid farmsteads and near buildings where house sparrows cause problems.

Where can you see bluebirds? Many state parks in eastern Nebraska have bluebird trails where parents successfully fledge 100 or more young each year, including Platte River, Mahoney, Schramm, Ponca, Niobrara and Ashfall state parks. Please do not open the boxes to observe the birds. If the box is in use, the adults will be nearby on the fence or in a tree. Opening the box may cause the nestling to jump out prematurely, and it may not survive.

To find Nine Mile Prairie from downtown Lincoln, go west on O Street (Highway 6), turn north on Northwest 48th Street, then turn west onto West Fletcher Road. In about one mile, the road ends. Park in the small lot on the right and walk south down the lane near the historical marker.

This 230-acre grassland is one of the few large virgin (never plowed) tallgrass prairies in the Midwest. Nebraska was once covered by tallgrass prairie, but today only 2 percent remain. It is the longest studied natural area in the state, beginning in the 1920s with Dr. J. E. Weaver and his students investigating grassland plant ecology. It is owned by the University of Nebraska Foundation and is preserved for teaching, research and nature study. Nearly 400 plants and 86 bird species have been identified here.

In May, over a dozen perennial plants are in bloom, such as plains wild indigo, violet wood sorrel, blue-eyed grass, pussytoes, golden ragwort, ground plum, narrow-leaf puccoon and wild strawberries. In brilliant breeding plumage, various species of male birds are singing enticing songs to attract a mate. Watch especially for the bobolink, meadowlark, rose-breasted grosbeak, Baltimore and orchard orioles, rufous-sided (eastern) towhee, grasshopper sparrow and meadowlarks. And, of course, bluebirds.

Grab your binoculars and field guides! Take a hike and celebrate nature’s annual awakening.

For more information about bluebird conservation efforts, events, photographs, informational articles and educational materials, visit Bluebirds Across Ne­braska’s (BAN) Web site: http://www.bbne.org. BAN is an affiliate of the North American Bluebird Society.

This article is provided by a member of Wachiska Audubon Society and features writing related to nature, the seasons and relevant environmental issues. For more information, visit http://www.wachiskaaudubon.org.

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