Volume 42, Number 2,
February 1996:
Backyard Birds

Text-only version

ISSUE HOME PAGE

ABOUT THIS ISSUE
- about KSN
- about the author

IN THIS ISSUE
- introduction
- what do you need to go birding?
- some common backyard birds
- house finch
- American robin
- house wren
- European starling
- house sparrow
- black-capped chickadee
- northern cardinal
- ruby-throated hummingbird
- blue jay
- gray catbird
- purple martin
- downy woodpecker
- eastern bluebird
- Baltimore oriole
- American goldfinch
- the Kansas winter bird feeder survey
- acknowledgment
- owls

SLIDESHOW
View all images in this issue.

Backyard Birds
by Marvin Schwilling

EASTERN BLUEBIRD
When our forefathers came to the United States, they found bluebirds could be attracted to come near their homes if they provided nesting boxes. This close association continued until the introduction of the house sparrow in the early 1850s. House sparrows soon took over the nest boxes and the bluebird was forced away from the backyards into the open countryside. Nestboxes widely scattered in open country are currently well used by bluebirds.

Unlike most thrushes, the bluebirds are not noted for their melodious songs. However, their friendly plaintive tur-wee gives a restful assurance that all is well. The male has bright blue upper back, tail and head with a reddish brown breast, much the same color as its cousin, the robin. Most bluebirds migrate only a short distance, but they collect in winter flocks feeding on juniper berries and other berries. Bluebirds form communal roosts with many birds roosting in a huddle inside a nestbox or other cavity.

Next: Baltimore Oriole