Bird House Cam - About Eastern Bluebirds

The bright blue coloring of Eastern Bluebirds makes them an arresting sight when flying from low tree branches down to the ground to catch the insects on which they feed. But even though the Eastern Bluebird was once an abundant species, few modern people have ever seen one. The population plummeted in the middle 1900s, and though a resurgence began in the 1970s, bluebirds still face a barrage of threats. The initial decline was due largely to the heave use of pesticides (especially DDT), which interferes with birds’ ability to reproduce. Even after DDT was banned, however, people’s attempt to “clean up” nature by removing dead trees have threatened bluebirds, as these trees often provide nesting cavities for bluebirds and other bird species. With limited nesting space available, bluebirds often lose out to other, more aggressive species (such as Tree Swallows.) There are people fighting to save bluebirds, however. Much of the credit for the Eastern Bluebird’s return from the edge goes to Lawrence Zeleny, who founded the North American Bluebird Society (NABC.) This group was largely responsible for the thousands of bird houses that have been erected throughout the eastern United States to replace the rapidly disappearing cavities in hollow fence posts or dead trees. Slowly, bluebirds have been making a comeback.

View the Cams! - High Speed Version - Dial-up version Find out more... - Tree Swallows - Eastern Bluebirds - The Bird Box - Hildacy Farm Preserve - Install a bluebird box - Get our Bluebird Box Guide - Other NLT Preserves Like what you see? SUPPORT NLT!