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Are you a bird watcher?

When we owned a condo in Southwest Missouri, I would look forward to being greeted by Eastern Bluebirds whenever we arrived. It seemed as though regardless of the time of year, I'd always see those beauties during our visit: perching on posts or telephone wires, swooping down to catch an insect, even sitting in the branches feeding their young. They always made me smile.

A strange coincidence?

I'd seen bluebirds in the St. Louis area, but never in my backyard. Over the past year or so, however (since we sold our condo), I've begun seeing a pair of bluebirds in my backyard more and more frequently. Which makes me very happy! 

Bluebirds checking out a birdhouse in my backyard.

Bluebirds are cavity nesters. They like to build their nests in natural cavities like old woodpecker holes in dead trees as well as in nest boxes. According to Sibley's, the Eastern Bluebird has been increasing steadily because of habitat enhancement - specifically, the extensive placement of nest boxes. This year I added another birdhouse to my backyard, hoping to entice the bluebirds to stay. (The new box will supposedly deter House Sparrows... time will tell.)

Female Eastern Bluebird having a snack.

What do bluebirds eat?

Bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries; but just like robins, they do come to my bird feeders in the winter.

I researched raising mealworms to attract bluebirds, but I couldn't even get through the entire article once I realized that I would have to actually handle the larvae, pupa, and adult dark beetles! Nope. I don't even want to look at them.

Juvenile American Robin with speckled breast.

All in the family.

I recently learned that bluebirds, like robins, are members of the thrush family. Many adult thrushes have a spotted pattern on the breast, and even the species that are not spotted as adults (like robins and bluebirds) have a spotted breast when young. (See my painting of a juvenile robin above.) 

If the bluebirds hang around long enough, maybe I'll have young ones to photograph and paint this year!

“Birds will give you a window, if you allow them. They will show you secrets from another world - fresh vision that, though it is avian, can accompany you home and alter your life. They will do this for you even if you don't know their names - though such knowing is a thoughtful gesture. They will do this for you if you watch them.”

~Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds

Paint. Love. Repeat.