Bluebirds Nesting With Purple Martins

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I have always wanted to have purple martins. Finally, this spring, we got a purple martin house put out and were lucky enough to attract two pairs of martins to take up residence. Oh, happy day. But then I noticed that a very blue martin was also using one of the nesting holes. And it didn't fly the way the martins flew. After much observation, I believe that we have a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in the house as well. I'm certainly not a bird expert, but I'm almost positive that it is a pair of bluebirds. Has anyone else had this happen or ever heard of it happening? Seems kind of unusual since all of the bluebird houses that I've seen are usually mounted on fenceposts (4 to 5 feet off of ground) and are made out of wood (so the inside would be dark). This martin house is about 12 feet in the air and made out of aluminum (so the inside would be lighter). Are bluebirds kind of rare anyway? I don't think I've seen them before around here (despite all of the bluebird houses). Just curious if anyone else had observed this nesting behaviour before.

-- Sandy (tripletreefarm@hotmail.com), May 31, 2000

Answers

Where are you? Here in Maine, bluebirds are making a big comeback! They will nest in the same "apartment building" with martins and tree swallows, I am told, although the latter 2 prefer "detached housing". We have in residence nearby a couple of bluebird families, several tree swallows, at least 2 Baltimore Orioles (tho I have seen nary a bat or glove!), and a cardinal couple who is some distance away. Also have a "water drop" bird - the American Bittern, across the road. Chickadees, golden and purple finches, and bluejays- I like them!-are ubiquitious. Also found the catbirds will eat the pulp out of the oranges we put out for the Orioles. Magpies are about, but rarely visit the feeder. Bobolinks are in the fields, and I love their song, although I may be in the minority here! Redwings are by the pond, grackles everywhere, and a pair of flickers nearby. The downy and hairy woodpeckers visit the suet every day, and the pileated woodpeckers let their presence be known by their almost "tropical" call, since they NEVER visit any feeder.

Ain't birds fun!? Brad & Maggie, obviously sweet and caring, not to mention logical people! (Also both life members of the NRA!) Good Luck to All, and have fun watching birds!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), May 31, 2000.


I'm in west central Indiana. Glad to hear that bluebirds are making a comeback. And really glad that two decided to "come back" in my yard. Birdwatching really is a lot of fun!

-- Sandy (tripletreefarm@hotmail.com), May 31, 2000.

I wrote an article about two months ago about a retired minister who lives here and has a bluebird trail with more than a hundred houses on it! He is a part of the national group that is working toward bringing the bluebird back....I'll try to find his e-mail address and send it to you direct tomorrow because I'm certain he could answer (and would be happy to answer) any questions that you have about bluebirds (and possibly any other type bird)...

-- suzy in 'bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 01, 2000.

I am in N.C. Florida and last year, we spotted a pair of bluebirds in the upper pasture. This year, they have nested in the purple martin house with the martins! We now have 2 adult pairs, and new babies. We also had a pair of Baltimore Orioles show up early last spring and made a home in the spanish moss of the large oak tree. They raised a family and left.

-- sissy sylvester (jerreleene@hotmail.com), June 04, 2000.

Guess this means that I HAVE to get a Martin house, huh? We have one lone bluebird house (one of my boys made in in shop class several years back), and the bluebird family has come back two years in a row, and raised their family in it. I'd love to have more houses; the birds look so pretty, the dark blue perched on the electrical line, with their babies all in a row with them.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), June 04, 2000.


Up here in central Wisconsin my Dad is experiencing the same thing. He could never get the martins to move in but this year he has both bluebirds and martins. It will be interesting to watch them!

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), June 04, 2000.

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