Saturday, February 6, 2010

How Bluebirds Communicate with People

We got a lot of snow last night. So much that the bell feeder was entirely covered. I was worried that the bluebird would not be able to find their food. However this morning they were flying in and eating to their hearts' content. After snapping my usual round of 20 or so pictures, I went about my business. A couple hours later, I noticed that the bluebirds were flying right up to my kitchen window and sitting on top of the feeder that sits at the window. This feeder has remained empty, since the invasion of the starlings. So to have them sit on top of the window feeder was really unusual. Each on would take a turn, fly up to the window and look in at me working in the kitchen. I didn't think too much about it until my youngest daughter said "Mommy they can't get to their food." I reminded her that I put out plenty of food for them and that they were going to be fine.

Walking by my sliding door I happened to look out and see that the lid of the bell feeder had slid down from the weight of the snow and they couldn't get to their food. I went outside, brushed off the snow and raised the lid. Before I could even finish, the bluebirds were flying back and sitting on the nest box waiting for me to finish. Once I fixed it, they started to eat and quit flying up to my window.

I have had experiences similar to this with tree swallows and hummingbirds, but this is the first time I have noticed the bluebirds actually trying to communicate with me.

I don't think I'm the bluebird whisperer or Dr. Doolittle, but I did find it interesting the bluebirds recognize me as a food source and where to find me. I see this as a very good thing, so that when they start laying eggs they will trust me.

I am interested to find out if others have had similar experiences and will be researching this further.