Birdfeeders

It was only about 50 years ago when bluebirds were nearly gone in North America. With high pesticide use, loss of habitat and competition for nesting holes from starlings and house sparrows, the bluebird population plummeted. This was so serious that bluebirds actually disappeared from much of their traditional range. Luckily, a few people began an intense effort to provide bluebird houses across large areas. The devised a plan to put up a series of bluebird houses in open grassland habitats. This practice became known as a bluebird trail. There was some trial and error involved. Many were put on top of fence posts, but then it was discovered that these were easily raided by predators. Now they are being mounted on poles that cannot be climbed. As these trails have been added across North America and many pesticides have been banned, bluebirds are making a wonderful comeback. All three species are doing well because bluebird lovers all over are adding bluebird houses in trails and in their backyards to provide housing for these beautiful birds.