Bluebirds arriving in Idaho

Last weekend I made a trip into the St. Joe area to look at winter conditions for wildlife. While I was primarily interested in how the snow levels were affecting big game, I was struck by the number of migratory birds that are on their way back to northern nesting grounds.

The wetlands around Benewah Lake were covered with ducks, geese and swans. So are Cougar Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene and many other wetlands. Songbird species are also beginning to show up. A few bluebirds should be here by now, with more on the way.

Two species of bluebirds live in Idaho: the western bluebird and the mountain bluebird. The mountain bluebird is the Idaho state bird.

The mountain bluebird is larger than the western bluebird and both are slightly smaller than robins.

"The bluebird carries the sky on his back," Thoreau said.

This statement could apply to any of the North American bluebird species, for the males of each species sport brilliant blue backs.

The male mountain bluebird has a very bright blue back and is pale blue below.

The female is mostly gray with a trace of blue on the wings and tail. The western bluebird is less brightly colored. Males and females both have rust on the breast.

Bluebirds live throughout Idaho in high desert juniper and mahogany, in forest meadows, and valleys and ridges in mountainous regions. They are most common at elevations of 4,000 feet and higher.

Bluebirds are ground feeders, with grasshoppers being a favorite food. They also consume beetles, ants, wasps, caterpillars, crickets and even berries.

A bluebird's bill is not suited for creating nest cavities, so they make their nests in existing cavities excavated by woodpeckers or other animals. Nests are lined with grass, fine strips of bark and pine needles.

Bluebirds return to Idaho from their wintering grounds in the southwestern U.S. by late February or early March and seek tree cavities for nesting.

Since many trees with suitable nesting holes have been cut for firewood, cleared to make way for development or have been occupied by non-native starlings or house sparrows, some bluebirds do not nest because they do not find suitable homes.

Man-made nest boxes help to fill the shortage of natural nest sites. Many Idahoans have already discovered the fun and satisfaction of building, placing and monitoring bluebird nest boxes.

The Panhandle Region office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has long been involved in coordinating the construction and distribution of bluebird nest boxes. School and civic groups have worked together to build boxes for people interested in providing our native, state bird with a place to nest and raise young.

IDFG volunteers have built bluebird nest boxes which are now available at the IDFG office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene. We are asking for a donation of $5 per bluebird box to cover the cost of wood and fasteners to put them together.

We also have a pamphlet called "Building Homes for Idaho's Bluebirds" available free of charge at our office.

This contains plans for constructing boxes if you choose to make your own.

There is also important information about how and where to place boxes so they are likely to successfully attract bluebirds.

You can pick one up at the IDFG office when you get your boxes, or, call us and we can email it to you.

If you already have bluebird boxes installed on your property, it is important to clean them out now in preparation for the next nesting season. The brochure includes information on how to monitor and maintain boxes.

Since boxes have the greatest likelihood of being used the first year if placed by late-March, pick this publication up as soon as possible if you plan to build your own boxes.

However, because bluebirds may move into boxes as late as mid-May, placement by then could allow boxes to still be used this year by late nesters.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator in Coeur d'Alene for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.