backyard “blues” As spring begins to bloom on Amelia Island, don’t be surprised if you see some brilliant flashes of blue in your backyard, either from Eastern Bluebirds or Indigo Buntings. STORY AND PHOTOS BY GAIL E. PFOH
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he backyards and byways of our beautiful barrier island are often home to the “blues.” Of course, we don’t mean the feelings of the blues. We mean the feathered, flashy, colorful “blues” which can sing and fly! Right now, anywhere you glance in your neighborhood’s blooming azaleas, or along Egan’s Creek Greenway, or even in the landscape of your favorite golf course, you may see birds that are vibrant blue in color. All birds are treasures, and these blue birds are like precious little sapphires, which dazzle our eyes. One of the most popular and widespread blue birds in our area is the Eastern Bluebird. They can be found here all year long. The males are a brilliant regal blue, red, and white. Females share these colors, but their colors are more subdued, and they are a grayish color from above. Watch for them as they go about their day eating primarily insects in summer (thank you!), then fruit and berries later in the year. Eastern Bluebirds are cavity nesters. At this time of year, they are scouting for nest locations and gathering nesting materials. Their courtship includes the male offering gifts of 53 AMELIA ISLANDER MAGAZINE •
food to his female. Besides nesting in natural tree cavities, they might make a nest in a hole previously used by a woodpecker family or use a nest box. A pair will lay between 2 and 7 eggs in one “clutch” (a group of eggs laid at a single time). They will usually raise three clutches in a season. The eggs will be incubated for approximately sixteen days before hatching. Remember, birds use nests to raise their young. They do not stay at the nest after their young have fledged for the season. It is not used like a bedroom, where they return to sleep at night. When the young fledge, some birds may not have all their feathers or be able to fly, but all fledged birds (even Bald Eagles) are adult size when they fledge. If you are lucky, adult Eastern Bluebirds may bring their youngsters to your feeders. A good way to attract them is to offer mealworms. Juveniles are not as blue as adults, and they have spots on their back and chest. Another beautiful species of bird that is blue is the Indigo Bunting, which is returning to our area now. Some think that continued on next page MARCH 2022
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