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Blues still here

17 years ago

When do the blues fly south? I live in MI and would have thought they would be gone by now. I have also noticed they come back every morning and they fly to the nesting boxes, the female will go in and stay for about 15 to 20 min. There are 6 males with her, but one always stays on the box until she leaves. I don't know what to think. Anyone have any suggestions on what these beauties are doing?

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Comments (4)

bluebars
17 years ago
Bluebirds are "short-distance migrants." Sometimes they migrate and sometimes they don't. Weather and food supplies are also a factor. Check the the link below, and view maps for CBC (Christmas Bird Count) and BBS (Breeding Bird Survey) to see the trends in your area. These are surveys done by volunteers twice a year.
We often see Spring-like behavior in the Fall when temperature and day-length mimic Spring. If the bluebirds stay resident all year in your area, they often continue to protect and defend what they consider "their territory" year-round.
Bluebars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i7660id.html
mollysg
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the info. I will check out the web site.
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erictammy
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Molly, I live in NW Ohio and my birds overwinter here. There's Malinda who lives in MI and she has shown pics before of her house with lots of snow and many bluebirds eating at her mealworm feeder.
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kenn3d
17 years ago
Hi Molly,

We're in St.Louis MO which is quite far south of you, but we had two pair over-winter with us... and it does get quite cold here.

This is Mr.B and Missy, our nesting pair who gave us 13 beautiful fledglings this year, and they're all still with us right now:

It's very possible you could still have yours when the snow comes too. They need liquid water and food, but otherwise can survive cold, so you never know... yours might stay with you.

best luck,

Kenn :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Year-round Bluebirds

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