Western Bluebird

Western Bluebirds

We were in the mountains of Northeast Oregon when we spotted our first bluebirds.  Their bright color and ability to hover, motionless just feet above the ground is what caught our attention.  As we watched the birds for several minutes they methodically used the vantage point of tree branches to scan the meadow before hovering and dropping to the ground to catch insects. 

Although the Western Bluebirds are different from those that live in the
mountains of Northeast Oregon, they are closely related and just as beautiful to look at and fun to watch.  We are fortunate to live in a rural area of the Willamette Valley where a mature forest and open fields intersect and were excited to spot Western Bluebirds on our property for the first time in 2012.  It was a single pair that visited for several weeks and we suspect they were nesting in a natural tree cavity somewhere nearby.  The following spring we placed a nesting box on our farm and in 2017 we finally attracted Bluebirds to our own nesting box.  They raised one clutch that spring and we now have several boxes on our farm, three that were in use during the spring of 2019 and regularly see 10 or more Bluebirds at one time. 

Purchasing a Bluebird box is inexpensive, easy to install and requires minimal effort to maintain.  The placement of nesting boxes is critical with rural and rural residential areas being the most compatible locations.  Please keep in mind Bluebirds require all of the following: open spaces with low grass and bare ground, existing nesting sites (tree cavities or nesting boxes) and perches where they can survey the area for insects.  All nesting boxes should be mounted four to six feet off the ground, with the entrance hole facing east and in an area with some mid-day shade.  If no shade is available, the boxes should be placed with the entrance hole facing south.  It is critical to have powerlines, fence lines and trees nearby that can be used and perches for the Bluebirds to survey the area for insects.  Multiple nesting boxes should be placed approximately 200 feet apart.  If you can’t provide all of these necessities at your location you reconsider purchasing a nesting box.

Western bluebird products coming soon!