March 26, 1999

     Bluebirds have Returned

Eastern bluebirds return to Minnesota in greatest number between mid-March and mid-April.  This bluebird is a member of the thrush family and is related to the American robin.  It is about two-thirds the size of a robin.  The male is bright blue above with a reddish-brown breast and a white belly; the female is less colorful.  They become summer residents throughout the state whenever suitable habitat and nesting sites are available.

Bluebirds are not found in the dense northern forests, and they are rare on the open prairie.  Ideal bluebirds habitat is made up of mixed hardwood forests and grasslands.  The grassy areas may be meadows, pastures, large yards or edges of highways.  It is best if grass is short or sparse, so grazed and mowed areas provide good habitat.  This transition zone between grassland and forest provides the highly specialized nesting and feeding habitat necessary for bluebirds.  Bluebirds prefer to eat insects such as grasshoppers, crickets and beetles, although they also eat spiders and wild fruits.  They like to flutter from fences, wires or low trees to the grassy ground to pick up their food.  Nests are built in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, holes in stumps, hollow, rotted fence posts or nesting boxes.