Blue Amongst the Barren – The Importance of the Eastern Bluebird
By: Rachel Hartel
It’s another hot July afternoon, and the heat haze shimmers over the sand as I trek through the brittle shrubs to the next birdbox on the trail. Typical of the New Jersey Pine Barrens in summer, the sun blazes fiercely from a cloudless sky, and the wood flies and mosquitos are my ever-present – if unwelcome – companions. Holding up a defensive hand to ward off my insect escorts, I continue toward a wooden birdbox that is hidden in the shadows of the undergrowth. A
sudden flash of brilliant blue flits through the corner of my vision, and smiling, I remember again the purpose for which I am here.
Spotting a vivid blue flash among the trees is a frequent experience for many people who wander through Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge’s forested trails. With its royal blue head and wings and rusty red chest feathers, the male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia Sialis) is an eye-catching sight. Female Bluebirds display a more subdued version of the flashy male, with a gray head and back, warm brown undersides, and tinges of deep blue on the wings. When walking through Cedar Run’s property, the most common place to observe these bright songbirds is perched on a power line as they survey the area for their primary food source – insects. Once spotted, Bluebirds will pounce down upon the unsuspecting insect with fluttering wings and a spiraling dive, followed by a speedy return to their perch. While around 70% of their diet consists of insects, the other 30% is composed of fruit, berries, and seeds. This makes them versatile and adaptable foragers. On the other hand, Bluebirds are more selective when it comes to nesting sites, only nesting in previously made cavities and hollows. This makes them the perfect inhabitants for man-made birdboxes. Because of these preferences, Bluebirds can most often be found in exposed spaces such as meadows or bright open forests. Low undergrowth and sporadic trees create a
Given the needs and behavior of Bluebirds, they have been able adapt to conditions that many species find challenging. A prime example is their presence in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. At nearly 1.1 million acres, the New Jersey Pine Barrens is one of the largest patches of untouched forest in the Eastern U.S. and is home to a diverse ecosystem of animals and plants. Ranging from the upland forests of towering pine and oak to the lowland swamps of cedar and
sphagnum moss, the Pine Barrens gained their name because of the harsh soil conditions that make it difficult to prime environment for foraging for insects while having nesting options available nearby produce crops. Yet, despite the acidic soil and other harsh conditions, wildlife flourishes. As for the Eastern Bluebirds, the sparse vegetation and wide spaces of the Pine Barrens offer the habitat they need to forage for summer insects. In return, Bluebirds are key players in controlling insect populations and in spreading plant seeds through the berries they eat.
However, as little as 50 years ago, Bluebird populations were plummeting dangerously. They went from being a commonly seen bird to being so rare that many birders predicted their inevitable extinction. Reasons for the decline ranged from habitat loss to the rise of house cats, but the biggest factor was the influence of the invasive House Sparrow and European Starling. These two species fiercely contested with Bluebirds for nesting cavities and were extremely aggressive. Yet, the story of the Bluebird did not end there. Thanks to the efforts of conservationists, Bluebirds have made an astounding comeback and now boast a population of over 23 million. This is because researchers, conservationists, and citizen scientists took action and set up thousands of bluebird boxes, created Bluebird nesting trails, and monitored the health of the remaining population. Cedar Run’s own Bluebird Trail is only one of the countless efforts made to strengthen this special species. In the end, the results were near-miraculous, making the Eastern Bluebird a true testament to successful conservation.
So, as I approach the wooden birdbox under the scorching July sun, I gaze up to see a showy blue male and his elegant mate– brilliantly blue against the barren backdrop of pines perched high above me. With a screwdriver in hand, I quickly work to unscrew the box and carefully lower its side. Peering inside, I glimpse four perfect blue eggs cradled within a nest of pine needles. Although seemingly humble, these eggs are a testament to the future of bluebirds
and to the wider ecosystem of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The honor, privilege, and responsibility of preserving them lie in our hands.
