| There are three species of bluebird, all occurring in | | | | not for the efforts of so many concerned |
| North America. Distinguishing the Western blue | | | | individuals. Over the last three decades, people put |
| bird from the Eastern bluebird can sometimes | | | | up scores of bluebird houses. Many people create |
| prove difficult; thankfully, there is little overlap in | | | | bluebird trails by installing bluebird houses in a |
| their ranges, so location provides the best clue. | | | | series, often along the side of a road. The Eastern |
| The Mountain bluebird, though its range overlaps | | | | and Mountain bluebird population experienced a |
| with the Western and the Eastern bluebirds', | | | | very encouraging comeback in that time, although |
| presents less of a problem for identification | | | | more still needs to be done. |
| because its plumage is more distinctive. | | | | Telling the Eastern bluebird apart from the |
| The Western bluebird carries its own distinction | | | | Western is not always an easy proposition. Again, |
| from the other bluebird species, in that it prefers | | | | a great first hint is location. If the bluebirds are in |
| open forests and parkland as a nesting site, | | | | Utah, they are Western or Mountain bluebirds, |
| shunning the field and pasture edges favored by | | | | which are more easily distinguished from one |
| Eastern and Mountain bluebirds. Unfortunately, the | | | | another. If the bluebirds are in Connecticut, they |
| Western bluebird has not seen the same kind of | | | | are Eastern bluebirds. Both Eastern and Western |
| population recovery that the other species have, | | | | species have an orange chest, but the Eastern |
| due to changes in pine habitats. Human | | | | bluebird has an orange throat, as well. The |
| encroachment led people, quite logically, to protect | | | | Western bluebird's head is all blue, including its |
| their homes and property by using various forms | | | | throat. The Western will often show some orange |
| of fire suppression, such as clearing out dry brush, | | | | to red on its scapular region, whereas the Eastern |
| for example. Those burned out wooded areas are | | | | bluebird is quite blue-backed. |
| ideal for Western bluebirds. There is still much | | | | All three species of bluebird will take to bluebird |
| hope for these wonderful birds, but they need a | | | | houses. In many areas, they will face stiff |
| bit more help. | | | | competition from other birds, primarily the English |
| The ethereally beautiful Mountain bluebird has a | | | | house sparrow. The house sparrow is not |
| breeding range that occupies much of the | | | | protected by law as our native songbirds are; |
| western half of the U.S. and Canada, extending | | | | house sparrow nests should be removed from |
| through northern British Columbia into Alaska. | | | | bluebird houses and destroyed. |
| They nest in cavities, including bluebird houses, | | | | Bluebirds will usually breed at least twice during |
| around the edges of fields and meadows, or | | | | each summer breeding season, laying from five to |
| anywhere there are trees from which to hunt | | | | seven eggs each time. As long as there are caring |
| and open ground in which to forage. | | | | people providing and monitoring bluebird houses, |
| The Eastern bluebird, that symbol of happiness, | | | | bluebirds have a chance to thrive once again. |
| would likely be on the verge of extinction were it | | | | |