Learning

Spring is just around the corner — flowers will bloom, rain showers will pass and birds will migrate, including bluebirds.
Kenneth LeCroy, interpretive ranger at the Louisiana State Arboretum at Chicot State Park, said, “Now is the time of year to get bird houses ready. Bluebirds will move back into area in February and March.”
On January 14, LeCroy led the Bluebird Basics program at the arboretum, and attendants at the event learned about bluebirds and tips and habitat suggestions to attract them to an area.
“I haven’t seen any bluebirds in the park yet this year,” LeCroy said. “I live north of the park, and I have seen some at my house. We have plenty of food.
“We do okay with bluebirds in the park. The birds prefer open acres like golf courses and other open areas, and there are not many open acres in the park.”
LeCroy said one of the first ways to attract bluebirds to an area is to up put a bird house, one built specifically for bluebirds.
“Bluebirds are cavity nesters — that is why we build houses for them,” LeCroy said. “They prefer to build nests in a contained area. Before humans were involved with them, they would find holes in trees like woodpecker holes or rotted out trees.”
Bluebird houses should be built 4x4 or 5x5 inches in size, and the entrance should be no bigger than an inch and a half. The structure should have a way to be opened for cleaning and have ventilation slots to allow for airflow.
LeCroy said bluebird houses should be placed in open, grassy areas with a nearby water source.
“They kind of like pine trees around, too,” he said. “They build their nests out of pine needles, but if you don’t’ have a pine tree around, it’s not a problem — they will use long strands of grass.”
LeCroy suggested placing the bird house on a freestanding pole with a predator prevention device like the cones on wood duck boxes or a Kingston stove pipe. The house should not be placed close to anything other animals like cats and raccoons can launch themselves off of or under trees that animals can jump from onto the house. The opening on the house should be pointed away from prevailing winds, and if putting up multiple houses, the structure should be at least 100 yards apart.
Bluebirds are part of the thrush family, and thrush members prefer to eat insects.
“If insect populations are low, they will go after berries like youpons or winter berries,” LeCroy said. “Right now our insect count is really good because it has been warm.”
LeCroy said there are three different types of bluebirds in north American, and the eastern bluebird is the only one likely to be found in Louisiana.
He said, “It’s a very obviously blue color with orange vest and white pants and belly.”