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