PORTLAND - Oregon’s Blue birds blessing come in three types; the Lazuli (Indigo Blue) Bunting, the Mountain Blue Bird and the most common is the Western Blue Bird. The Eastern Blue bird looks remarkably alike to our chestnut over a white belly Western Blue Bird; but there must be some difference?
The cover photo shows a brighter male and duller brown colored female (Lazuli Bunting - Blue Birds) eating dandelion seeds off their stalks. Classic Bluebirds eat insects and wild fruit.
Nature’s palette of colors is obviously diverse; however blue is indeed rare. No true blue roses in nature exist because no pollinator would see it to pollinate it and perpetuate its survival.
What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives? ~E. M. Forster (1879 – 1970. English Writer)
After all, any Blue bird sightings are equally breath-taking & refreshing viewed in a Portland city park or when up in the higher elevations. You’ll see these Mountain Blue Birds generally, walking, hiking or biking, (gray over white belly) in evergreen forests. Lazuli Buntings (Indigo Buntings are Eastern species) and Western Blue Birds frequent open deciduous forests.
Frankly, the author thought these bluebirds in cover photo were Western Blue birds at first. The Lazuli Bunting has a chestnut strip over a white belly too! The white wing tips and the fact these birds were eating dandelions seed showed me these were indeed the very rare Lazuli Buntings!
Lazuli Buntings nest in hedgerow branch forks; whereas bluebirds like to nest in vacant woodpecker cavities cut into dead trees or specially designed nest boxes.
WIKIPEDIA on Bluebirds reports:
“By the 1970s, bluebird numbers had declined by estimates ranging to 70% due to unsuccessful competition with house sparrows and starlings, both introduced species, for nesting cavities, coupled with a decline in habitat. However, in late 2005 Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology reported bluebird sightings across the southern U.S. as part of its yearly Backyard Bird Count, a strong indication of the bluebird's return to the region. This upsurge can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteers establishing and maintaining bluebird trails.”
It is obvious why Western Blue Birds are becoming rare; as we humans cut down snags or dead trees. Many parks and home owner groups are now placing bluebird nest boxes around their properties, neighborhoods or cities to increase home values in this down home market.
BLUEBIRD HOUSE Plans and Instructions
“Bluebirds are beautiful birds that not only add joy and color to our world, but also need our help. We created this resource to help individuals just like you make a difference in protecting bluebird populations. By providing a few simple necessities, not only can we help the bluebird thrive, but we can have fun and attract these colorful birds to our homes, schools, and communities. Please enjoy our site and we hope you gain knowledge that will help these beautiful creatures.”
NestWatch - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
North American Bluebird Society: (TEACHER PACKETS)
It is unclear why the migratory Lazuli Bunting is becoming rare; unless pesticides are killing their insect prey off. Fortunately, Bluebirds have not fallen off people “radar” or personal interest zone.
All wild birds eat insects to their feed baby birds and all seasons and the author considers them a friend to mankind.
Sun’s coming out; so take your children outside to look for a bluebird or they will disappear forever within a generation:0( Maybe no one cares?
Other Quotes to consider:
Nat Burton, White Cliffs of Dover (song, 1941)
Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
- Basic research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.
Eric Berne (1910 - 1970)
Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC), The Jay and the Peacock
Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Nichomachean Ethics
Rose Kennedy (1890 - 1995)
- How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.
Let us, then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
US poet (1807 - 1882)
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© Copyright 2011. Dave Sandersfeld.
Permission is granted to include extracts of this article on websites and email lists with a link to the original. This article is copyrighted © and should not be added in its entirety on other websites or email lists without author's permission. For Article Comment sharing - Please contact Author at: FatherNature2@gmail.com.or www.fncbooks.com.
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