Now Back After Near Extinction

January 7, 2026

The mid-20th century saw Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) near extinction. What a surprise to find this out, since to me that doesn’t seem so very long ago.

But that is the case, with there being a 90 percent drop in their population due to habitat degradation, and invasive House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), and Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) taking over nesting sites, both cavities in trees and birdhouses. These non-natives birds frecuently kill adult Bluebirds, destroy Bluebird eggs, and kill nestlings as they agressively take over the Bluebird’s nesting area.

One of many programs that have had a huge impact on the Eastern Bluebirds’ recovery is a program with Virginia Master Naturalists. This citizen science project involves working with the Virginia Bluebird Society. Participants track populations of these Bluebirds by weekly checking birdhouses during the breeding season for eggs, hatches, fledglings, and threats from House Sparrows and Starlings. These volunteers build and install bluebird houses, and monitor the Bluebird trails.

Now due to great effort, the Eastern Bluebird population has greatly recovered. Thank goodness.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Published by

Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

3 thoughts on “Now Back After Near Extinction”

    1. A great story indeed Candy! Until this afternoon, I had no idea either. Thank goodness they are doing much much better now.
      Hope you are well down there. Sending many hugs.
      So very glad you read my posts!
      Bren

  2. 20 years ago I lived in Wisconsin. Bluebirds were residents in the many natural fields and parklands there. Nesting boxes were everywhere in farmlands. A great little insect eater.

Comments are closed.