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Current Clearance Items
Here are a few items recently added to our Clearance section. Stock may be limited, so hurry before they are no longer available!
New At The Nest
Did you know that besides having one of the largest selections of wildbird and backyard wildlife products, we also have a great selection of patio and garden products?. We have recently added many new items, so the products below are just a few! Also, we have several new purple martin house packages available with everything you need to become a purple martin landlord!
Bluebirds are one of the most popular birds in North America. It is hard to imagine that just a few short decades ago seeing an Eastern bluebird was an unusual experience for many people. The natural habitat of bluebirds: dead trees, wooden fence posts, etc. became scarce and contributed to a steep decline in bluebird populations. Fortunately, bluebirds are making a comeback thanks to dedicated preservation organizations and individuals just like you. So what makes bluebirds so popular? Let's take a look:
Bird Profile: Bluebirds
Each month in 2004, BestNest will be featuring a species profile for the birds about which we receive the most comments and questions. We hope these profiles are both educational and entertaining, so please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve them. Enjoy!
March 2004: Bluebirds
Bluebirds are part of the Thrush family, and you will find three main types of bluebirds in North America: Eastern, Mountain, and Western. Eastern bluebird males are dark blue on the wings, back, head, and tail. They have a rusty red throat and breast, and the belly is almost entirely white. Female Eastern bluebirds tend to have more bluish-gray color in the head which may or may not extend down the back. The chin and breast are reddish-brown, and their belly is white. It is not unusual to see females that are nearly all brown and some that more closely resemble the deep blue males. Western bluebirds look very similar to Eastern bluebirds, with the major distinction between the males being the color of the chin and throat. Western males have a blue chin and throat, whereas the Eastern males have a red chin and throat. Similarly, the Western female has a pale gray throat instead of the reddish brown throat of the Eastern female. Mountain bluebirds are more easily distinguished from either the Eastern or Western bluebirds. Males are entirely blue and longer than their Eastern and Western counterparts. Females are entirely gray or bluish-gray. Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they cannot create their own nesting areas and rely on either natural or man-made housing. Each of the different bluebird species actually requires a different type of house. Eastern bluebirds use what is considered to be the traditional bluebird house design: 1.5 inch diameter entrance hole, no perch, 5 inch by 5 inch floor dimensions, and a height from the top of the floor to the bottom of the entrance hole of 5 to 7 inches. Western and Mountain bluebirds need a house of similar dimensions; however, the entrance needs to be 1 9/16 inches in diameter. If you are planning on putting up a bluebird house, it is important to remember that bluebird houses need to be monitored on a weekly basis. Make sure that the bluebird house you choose has an easy way to check on the nests. House sparrows often try to use bluebird houses, so you may need to remove their nests in order for the bluebirds to use the house. Bluebirds, unlike other popular backyard birds, have a diet that consists of mostly insects and fruit. Using a bluebird feeder can play an important part in their survival, especially in the late winter and early spring. Mealworms, fruit, and suet can all be used to attract bluebirds. Bluebirds often require special feeders, so the typical seed feeder may not be appropriate. Bluebirds will use platform type feeders; however, competition from larger or more aggressive birds may warrant using a feeder that is designed specifically for bluebirds. Those feeders often resemble a bird house with entrance holes on opposite ends of the house. The sides of the feeder are usually made of clear plastic, so the bluebirds are visible as they fly in and out of the feeder. Bluebirds start returning to breeding areas in mid-February; however, they can arrive at some locations as late as June. Location, weather, and the availability of food can all be factors in determining when the bluebirds will arrive. It is important to be ready for their return in February, but don't be discourage if they don't arrive in early Spring. Being patient often pays off for individuals that are willing to wait for the late arrivers. If you are interested in learning more about bluebirds, we recommend books such as Stokes Bluebird Book or Bird Watchers Digest's Enjoying Bluebirds More. There are also many bluebird preservation organizations all over North America that are looking for people to get involved in actively preserving bluebird populations. BestNest.com has one of the largest selections of bluebird houses, feeders,accessories, and books available anywhere. If you are interested in attracting bluebirds, please visit our website at www.bestnest.com Our learning center has valuable information on attracting bluebirds. If you would like more personal assistance, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 877-369-5446.
The BestNest.com Giveaway Winner is Mike Davisson!
CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Davisson who just won a new Garden Charm Hummingbird Feeder Gift Set!
To claim your prize, please send an email to [email protected] and include your address information and telephone number.
We may follow-up with a phone call to verify your address information and identity.
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