Bluebird in the Morning
by Nava Thompson
Title
Bluebird in the Morning
Artist
Nava Thompson
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A photo taken by Nava Thompson of a Eastern Bluebird in NW Arkansas.Eastern bluebirds are very social birds. At times they gather in flocks of a hundred or more. However, they are territorial during the breeding season and may continue to defend a feeding area throughout the winter. Mating occurs in the spring and summer months. A mature female will typically raise two broods each season. Nests are constructed in trees within abandoned woodpecker holes or other cavities that provide adequate protection (usually several feet above ground). Construction of the nest is done primarily by the female and takes approximately 10 days to complete. These nests are small, cup-like structures that are lined with grass, feathers, stems, and hairs. Each female lays 3 to 7 (average 4 to 5) light-blue or, rarely, white eggs. The female incubates the eggs, which hatch after 13 to 16 days. The young are altricial at hatching, meaning they cannot care for themselves upon hatching. The female broods the chicks for up to 7 days after hatching. Fledglings then leave the nest 15 to 20 days after hatching............................Both parents cooperate in raising the young, which they feed a diet consisting almost entirely of insects. Several studies have revealed that some young will stay around the nest to help raise another brood. Fledglings are grayish in color with a speckled breast. The blue color becomes much more prominent and the speckles on their breast disappear as they mature. Bluebirds may begin breeding the summer after they are hatched.................................Eastern Bluebirds can live for 6 to 10 years. The record lifespan for a bluebird was 10 years and 5 months. However, a majority of bluebirds die within their first year of life. Starvation and freezing can threaten young bluebirds, but most threats come from other animals, including humans. Natural predators of eggs and nestlings can include eastern chipmunks, flying squirrels, American black bears, fire ants and raccoons. Bluebirds of all ages (including adults) are threatened by rat snakes, racers and American kestrels. Introduced species such as European starlings, house sparrows and domestic cats pose a major threat to bluebird nests as well, with the cat being a serious predator of adult bluebirds and the other birds being competitors for nesting sites. Non-nesting adults face predation with all native species of falcon, owl and most varieties of hawks (particularly in the Accipiter genus). When approached by a predator, male eastern bluebirds make a song-like warning cry. If a male is not present, a female will begin to sing, hoping to attract a protective male back to the territory. Both males and females will also flick their wings and warble when predators are nearby but losses are often heavy when a persistent predator finds their nest..........................................Eastern bluebirds prefer to nest in woodlands where cavity holes excavated by a previous species will serve as their home. These woodlands must be near clearings or meadows because this is the preferred hunting ground of the species. River or creek access is an added benefit and preferred. Keep these things in mind when placing a nestbox on your property....................................determined bluebird lovers may wish to pay attention to nestbox size (overly large boxes can invite deadly raids by non-native Common Starlings). The entrance hole should be 1 1/2" diameter for Eastern Bluebirds, and the box should have good ventilation by placing air holes in roof, sides & bottom for drainage.[5] Active and/or passive pest control is also greatly useful against non-native House Sparrows�these are small enough to enter bluebird boxes and kill bluebirds, and destroy nests.[6] Although doing well now, Eastern Bluebird populations declined to a level raising extinction fears by the 1960s, and in large part, the volunteer intervention of bluebird lovers in Eastern North America brought the species back by implementing the above. Such practices and the organizations promoting them remain important for stable populations today.[7] An activist writes, "The most significant factor in the recent population recovery is volunteerism - by young and old - people like you - doing their part by putting up and monitoring nestboxes, spreading the word, and encouraging others to get involved."
Uploaded
August 2nd, 2013
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Viewed 958 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/26/2024 at 1:36 AM
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Comments (74)
Luther Fine Art
AgoCongratulations on your wonderful photographic art is featured in Camera Art! You are invited to archive your work in the Features Archive thread! group as well as any other thread in which it would fit! ! LF Heidi
Hanne Lore Koehler
Magnificent capture, Nava! What amazing light an color! Stunning detail and background L/F
Carolyn Rosenberger
Congrats on your Showcased Artist Feature, Nava! This is a real beauty! Love the composition, the textures, and the lighting! L&F
Donna Kennedy
Wonderful light Nava, Congratulations on your Showcase Artist of the Week Feature in WFS!!!...L/T
Randy Rosenberger
A big congratulations to you for being chosen as our 'SHOWCASED ARTIST' of the week for the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. Your art works are very indicative of a professional, and it is a true honor to "showcase" your art pieces for this week in this new venue we are providing for our members. Thanks for your awesome submissions, and it is an honor to have you as a member of our family of friends and fine artists within the WFS group. Special thanks and congratulations from your administrator, Randy "Elvis" Rosenberger
Don Columbus
Congratulations Nava, your work is Featured in "Birds In Focus" I invite you to place it in the group's "2017 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Don Columbus
Congratulations Nava, your work is Featured in "A Birding Group - Wings"! I invite you to place it in the group's "2017 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Nava Thompson replied:
Don---thank you very much for the feaure in A Birding Group-Wings---and for the l/tweet!