Posted March 2, 2016 8:27 pm by Comments

By Justin Stakes

Eastern Bluebird (Photo by Herbert Lange)
Eastern Bluebird (Photo by Herbert Lange)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Madison, WI -(Ammoland.com)- March’s Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial Bird of the Month is the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).

These colorful short-distance migrants experienced a dramatic population decline in the mid-20th century as a result of changing agricultural practices, loss of nest sites, and competition with non-native cavity-nesting birds such as the house sparrow and European starling. In response to these threats, concerned conservationists and citizens launched a campaign to place bluebird houses in suitable open habitats as early as the 1970s.

Fortunately, bluebirds have responded well to such efforts, and populations are currently stable or increasing throughout their range. Today, bluebirds are fairly dependent on artificial nest sites, which replace the natural nesting cavities once provided more frequently by trees, snags, and other sources.

  • Bluebirds are early migrants in the spring, reaching Wisconsin by March or April. A few even spend the entire winter in far southwestern Wisconsin counties!
  • A testament to their population recovery, bluebirds ranked as one of the Top Ten most widespread nesting species during the first year of Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II in 2015.
  • As insectivorous birds, bluebirds …Read the Rest

    Source:: AmmoLand

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