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A Little Birdie Told Me
- Bluebirds became rare in Prince George's County during the '50s and '60s due to the use of the pesticide DDT, and the loss of nest sites. The DDT ban in the '70s, along with a strong conservation effort, led to the re-emergence of the bluebird in the county. This friendly little bird was adopted as the official bird of the county in 1976.
- The first bluebird nest box trail in the county was at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
- A bluebird is actually red, white and blue.
- During the summer, bluebirds mainly feed on insects. In the winter, they feed on assorted berries.
- The bluebird's nesting period is from February through July.
- Bluebirds like wide open expanses and avoid forested areas. Bluebird houses should be placed at the edge of fields or in backyards.
If you want to obtain the plans to build your own bluebird nest box, call the M-NCPPC Natural and Historical Resources Division at 301-627-2270 or visit the web site for the North American Bluebird Society. Before beginning construction, read the recommended bluebird nest box specifications and the materials list. Finally, download the construction plans and you are ready to begin!
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