I didn't realize all the bluebirds were being killed, I stand correctedJack wrote: It's not that difficult to understand.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBi ... nservationEver hold a starling?
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBi ... nservation
Last edited by dwest on Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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djm
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Only the parts about how <A TARGET="NEW" HREF="http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=gvobxIRYvJY">bluebirds</A> are ravenous carnivores, dedicated to total elimination of mankind through terminal consumption.dwest wrote:Did you by any chance actually read the article about population trends concerning Eastern Bluebirds?
djm
I'd rather be atop the foothills than beneath them.
I hate it when they try to fly up your nose or through your window, very bad while driving.djm wrote:Only the parts about how <A TARGET="NEW" HREF="http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=gvobxIRYvJY">bluebirds</A> are ravenous carnivores, dedicated to total elimination of mankind through terminal consumption.dwest wrote:Did you by any chance actually read the article about population trends concerning Eastern Bluebirds?
djm
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Jack
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The difference, which I guess you're not seeing (?) is that House Sparrows are invasive species, whereas the bluebirds are native species being threatened by invasives.dwest wrote:I didn't realize all the bluebirds were being killed, I stand correctedJack wrote: It's not that difficult to understand.
"All" the bluebirds are not being killed by House sparrow and Starlings. The reasons for decline of the species, bluebirds, is much more complicated than the Cornell Lab website discusses. It includes pesticide poisoning, habitat loss in addition to competition with other native cavity nesters, not just Starlings and House Sparrows. But bluebirds will likely always need human intervention to maintain a healthy population size.Jack wrote:The difference, which I guess you're not seeing (?) is that House Sparrows are invasive species, whereas the bluebirds are native species being threatened by invasives.dwest wrote:I didn't realize all the bluebirds were being killed, I stand correctedJack wrote: It's not that difficult to understand.
I was visiting one of the Bluebird websites earlier this week--
http://www.sialis.org/myths.htm
http://www.sialis.org/wrens.htm
Poor bluebirds!
Unfortunately, it does make sense that a bird with the genus name of Sialis would have problems with breeding....
http://www.sialis.org/myths.htm
I knew that starlings and house sparrows were a problem, but I didn't realize that house wrens caused so much difficulty! They're so tiny that the special bluebird nestboxes don't keep them out. I was going to put up a wren box but after reading this page I'm not going to!MYTH: Bluebirds were on the brink of extinction, but now they are back and don't need your help anymore.
REALITY: Bluebird populations declined by an estimated 90% from 1920-1970, threatened by competition from introduced species (House Sparrows and starlings), loss of open space and nesting cavities (bluebirds can't excavate their own holes), increased pesticide use, and climatic events. While Eastern Bluebird populations are now increasing (probably due to conservation efforts), Western Bluebird populations are not. And none of the issues that caused the decline has really gone away. Without assistance from people like you, bluebirds will continue to have difficulty surviving and thriving.
http://www.sialis.org/wrens.htm
-------------------------They have been known to destroy bluebird and other cavity nester's eggs by piercing them (holes of 3 mm or less, or a large ragged hole in the middle), and then often removing them from the nest. They can remove an entire chickadee nest in a matter of hours. In one study in eastern MA, 20% of Black-capped Chickadee nests were destroyed by House Wrens. ...There have been occasional reports of House Wrens killing young nestlings (4-5 days old) and throwing them out of the nest.
Male House Wrens have a habit of filling up available nestboxes with sticks toattract females/prevent competition. When not used for nesting, these are called "dummy nests."
Poor bluebirds!
Unfortunately, it does make sense that a bird with the genus name of Sialis would have problems with breeding....