Once, long ago, the Eastern Bluebird was one of North Carolina's most common songbirds. Man's activities and several severe winters resulted in our bluebird population declining by as much as 90%. Now the bluebird is making a strong comeback due largely to conservation efforts. However, the continuing loss of natural nesting sites and other problems faced by bluebirds indicate that this beloved bird will always need man's help to survive.

• DDT killed the insects bluebirds fed on and even killed the birds themselves.
• Nesting sites were lost when wooden fence posts were replaced with metal posts and dead trees and limbs were cut for firewood and to make wooded areas more attractive.
• Many small farms have been combined into large operations with huge fields that destroy the mixed habitat needed by bluebirds.
• Cities have spread into rural areas further reducing preferred habitat.
• Birds eat constantly during the day in order to survive cold winter nights. When their food is covered by heavy snow or ice, thousands of birds die.
• The winter food supply has also been reduced greatly by civilization's spread and the introduction of the European Starling which strips the fruit from the trees early in the fall.

• In the 1800's man brought the European Starling and House (English) Sparrow (which is really a European weaver finch) to this country from Europe upsetting our balance of nature forever. These birds are so adaptable and aggressive that they spread across the continent taking nesting sites and even killing the native birds and destroying their eggs.

  Photo by Stan Westfall

• Increase nesting sites by installing a man-made nest box or creating a bluebird trail of many nest boxes.
• Monitor your nest boxes to identify and correct nesting problems to help improve the bluebirds' chances for survival.
• Collect nest box data for research and statistical analysis.
• Plant berry producing plants or shrubs.
• Supply fresh clean water all year.
• Erect a "bluebird" feeder with dogwood berries, raisins, currants and mealworms.
• Tell your friends about the bluebirds' plight and encourage them to help.
• Join the North Carolina Bluebird Society and find out what is happening with our bluebirds today. Our newsletter, Bluebird Notes, is published quarterly. Read about others' bluebird experiences and share your own observations and questions with other members in NC.
• Volunteer to become a County Coordinator.