During incubation, the female leaves the nest several times each day to feed. She usually leaves for only 10-15 minutes at a time, but on warm days, she may stay off the nest for as long as an hour. During warm weather, the eggs cool more slowly, so she can spend more time looking for food.

The male keeps a watchful eye on the nest during incubation. He lets his mate know he's on duty with a gentle serenade of warbles and chortles. Occasionally he brings her a token morsel of food. Both acts reinforce the bond between the male and female. If an intruder ventures too near the nest, the male attacks. He drives off other bluebirds, cats, snakes and people with equal vigor.

After the eggs hatch, parent Bluebirds must eat with a nest full of very hungry chicks. Both parents feed the chicks a steady diet of grasshoppers, caterpillars and other insects. They bring food to the nest every few minutes during the brood's first few days of life. The chick's feeding rate slows after they are a week old and have some feathers. Chicks leave the nest when about 18-21 days old. They don't return to the nest at night. Within a week of the chicks' leaving the nest, the female begins building a new one. By the end of the summer, an experienced pair of Bluebirds may raise as many as three broods of young.

Bluebird Houses

Volunteers Frank Rollf and Dick Imel monitor and take care of bluebird houses in the Shawnee Mission Park District in Johnson County. In 1997, 737 bluebirds were fledged compared to 499 in 1996, representing a 48% increase. They use the Peterson Bluebird Box. If you are interested in bluebirds, stop by the Visitor's Center, Johnson County Park & Recreation District, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66219. Frank Rollf oversees the completion of these boxes and they have the Noel Guard Adapter installed, plus roof supports, and the preliminary coating of linseed oil and caulking. Ready for installation on support poles that are supplied by you, the purchaser. The cost of the box is $25.00 + tax. Monies are used for continued financial assistance in their bluebird recovery program.