blueavesare among our best and most popularaves. But if you want to invite these beautiful creatures into your garden, you need to know the answers to some important questions. Questions like "what do blue birds eat?” and "Where do they nest?"
We can help! Let's explore everything you need to know about the bluebird's diet and habits. And we'll share some fun facts along the way.
So when you're ready, follow this path to learn more!
Index
- Bluebird Biology and Habits
- What do thrushes eat in the wild?
- Bluebird Facts
- Summary
Bluebird Biology and Habits
the blue birdIt has distinctive plumage that makes it easy to spot. Males have light blue wings, head and back, while females have more gray on the head and tail. Both sexes have orange-brown breasts.
There are three different types of bluebirds in the United States: the eastern, western, and mountain bluebirds.
Eastern bluebirds live east of the Rocky Mountains, with populations found in the eastern states. Some subspecies also live in the extreme south, such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.
All three species love open habitats: fields, meadows, and light pine forests. Here you will find many insects tooto feed. To learn more about bluebirds' preferred habitat, check out this YouTube video by Andy Wood of Trails.
they aresociable birds, and sometimes you will see flocks of up to a hundred blue birds together. But that changes during the breeding season, usually spring and summer. So bluebirds become intensely territorial when trying to secure a mate and raise their young.
Bluebirds typically raise two clutches of chicks in a year, though they may raise more if food is plentiful.
It is the female thrush that builds the nest and this will take about ten days. The structure is small and cup-shaped, lined with feathers, grass, and other soft materials. Bluebirds tend to nest in tree cavities and will be attracted to any available bird box.
Bluebirds have a tough challenge to survive. Most die within the first year of life, and young birds are easy prey for a variety of predators. These includeraccoons,Squirrel,black bears, flying squirrels andeven fire ants.
After the first year of life, the bluebird's chances of survival increase significantly. They can live between six and ten years. And the oldest bluebird on record lived an incredible ten years and five months.
What do thrushes eat in the wild?
Bluebirds love open habitats where there are plenty of insects to eat. The extra help from people with birdhouses can make a big difference in the survival of birds in cold climates. This YouTube video shows a specially designed bluebird feeder that discourages larger birds from eating.take your food.
About two thirds of aThe thrush's food consists of insects.. The rest is made up of fruits and berries.
Thrushes hunt for insects by perching on low perches high enough off the ground to locate their prey. A bush, fence post, or power line is an ideal vantage point. They then swoop in and catch any unlucky insect that gets too close.
Here are some more details about the types ofFoods that thrushes like to eat.
- insects–Bluebirds feast on a wide range of different insects. you will eatGrill,Beetle and grasshopper. They also like to eat shellfish.like snails. This makes them a great friend to farmers. Many farmers put up blue nest boxes to encourage birds to nest on their land.
- worms–Thrushes also catch worms. But when you're looking for a tasty treat to attract them to your garden, little else matters.beat meal worms! Mealworms are very high in protein, so they are best kept as an occasional treat when other foods are in short supply.
However, be sure to use live larvae. Freeze-dried mealworms do not contain enough moisture to keep the hatchlings hydrated.
- fruits and berries–these make up about a quarter of a thrush bird's diet in the wild. They are especially important duringthe winter months, when insects are not available.
Bluebirds consume many different types of fruit, including wild holly, honeysuckle, red cedar, mistletoe, juniper, and bay. They also eat fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries.and grapes.
- Sebum– During the winter months, thrushes will eat suet if it is available from a bird feeder. Like mealworms, it's best kept as an occasional treat due to its high fat content. A good choice is suet cakes with chunks of peanuts, raisins, cornmeal, and sunflower seeds.
- scrambled eggs–ok, this is definitely not food thrushes would find in the wild! But if it's a harsh winter and you're looking for something to feed your bird, scrambled eggs will work. Boil them and let them cool before adding them to the feeder.
Bluebird Facts
1. Mother birds are essential for the survival of young bluebirds
Only female bluebirds have a patch of bare skin on the abdomen known as the brood patch. This is necessary for the mother's body to warm up to incubate her eggs. It's just as important during the first week of a puppy's life when she needs your warmth to survive.
During this time, the father brings food to the nest for the mother and chicks.
If the mother dies at this stage, the pups will not survive unless they are cared for by a specialized professional. But when the chicks are a week old, they have enough feathers to keep them warm. As long as there is enough food nearby, the parents can feed and raise them.
2. Sometimes the extended family helps raise the children.
Bluebird pairs are generally monogamous. They stay together during the breeding season and often beyond.
This loyal nature can be beneficial to your children. In cases where the mother Bluebird has died, extended family have been known to intervene.
Previous litters may help the father to feed and care for the young. As long as the babies have enough feathers to maintain their body temperature, they have a good chance of survival.
3. Blue bird eggs are also blue.
Like the birds themselves, Bluebird eggs are a beautiful light blue color. There are usually four to six eggs in each clutch.
Baby thrushes take about 15 days after hatching to be ready to leave the nest. A year later they will be ready to start their own families.
4. Reflective surfaces can be a choke hazard.
During the breeding season, male bluebirds aggressively defend their territory from competing birds. This can extend to attacking your own reflexes.
This is not usually the cause of serious physical damage, but it does increase the stress levels of the Bluebirds. If you have thrushes in your garden, try to eliminate sources of reflection. Covering the jar in spring and summer is a great help for the mental health of the birds.
5. Bluebirds are among the most popular American birds.
Bluebirds are very popular in the United States, with a bluebird society in almost every state. It is also the state bird of Missouri, where it is considered a symbol of good luck. And he received the same award in 1970 in New York.
6. Have excellent eyesight
Bluebirds use their keen eyesight to hunt for insects. you can seea beetleor cricket on the ground from a distance of about 40 to 50 feet away.
This is very different from other small birds. They diligently roam the ground, searching for worms and insects at close range. In fact, bluebirds have more in common with raptors in this regard.like hawks and hawks.
7. Some bluebirds migrate and some don't.
Whether or not thrushes migrate depends on conditions in their range. Birds that live in the northern states, where it is colder, tend to fly south in winter. But even they will stay put if there is enough food around.
Migratory birds are one of the first species to return home in spring. They are a wonderful sign that warm weather is on the way.
8. His music is soft and musical.
Although best known for their plumage, bluebirds have a soft, musical trill that is very pleasing. You can hear it in this YouTube video from the American Bird Conservancy.
Both male and female bluebirds sing, although females do so for a variety of reasons. For male bluebirds, singing is primarily a way to attract a mate and say goodbye to other males. Females also sing for these reasons, but also to communicate with their young and mates and to deter predators.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed our answer to the question "What do thrushes like to eat?". Wherever insects are available, they are the best choice for the thrush. But if not, they also eat berries, fruits and even scrambled eggs!
Bluebirds will be grateful for a helping hand during the winter months. If you manage to stock up on a bird feeder, you will greatly improve your chances of survival. And in return, you can enjoy the sight and music of these beautiful creatures.