Eastern Bluebird

(Sialia sialis)

Where: Richmond, VA • Glidewell Rd.

Notes: This beautiful image was captured yesterday, just in time to make it into the 2012 iPhotoBirds CALENDAR. I especially liked the sharp detail and soft smooth background. Having this small thrush nesting in my sideyard in suburban Richmond, still amazes me. This pair is back raising its second brood of the season. Earlier in the year they had fledged five babies from a different house in the backyard; I am assuming it is the same pair. The current clutch of four eggs hatched a week ago and the pace of feeding has picked up steadily ever since. The chicks can now be heard "peep-ing" each time the adults bring an insect or caterpillar to the entrance hole. Occasionally the adults have had to fend off House Sparrows that frequent the area. House Sparrows often compete for the same nesting cavities and are very aggressive. So far the Bluebirds have been successful and the male seems to always be nearby keeping watch over the nestbox.