The eastern bluebird and the sparrow-proof pendulum

The eastern bluebird and the sparrow-proof pendulum

This photo was taken by Denis Faucher, biologist and nature photographer. It shows clearly how quickly the eastern bluebird got used to its pendulum.

The first experiments with the pendulum and the eastern bluebird were carried out during the 1996 season. A thousand thanks to Denis Gamache, who made it possible to test the sparrow-proof pendulum.

We owe a great deal to everyone who has contributed to the comeback of the eastern bluebird. The sparrow-proof pendulum is a remarkable tool that can help protect this sought-after bird and help it multiply.

A story in blue

We thought it was impossible until a bluebird enthusiast convinced us to give it a try. After all, we had nothing to lose. All we had to do was find a few nest boxes occupied by bluebirds and attach our pendulum to them. Denis Gamache and Raynald Bourgault were our hosts. They walked the bluebird trail with us. Denis Gamache very quickly identified a few nest boxes occupied by bluebirds. We chose the one that best suited our observations, and the first bluebird, a female, soon realized that the entrance to her nest box had just changed.

Hidden in the tall grass, we waited a few hours before the female finally made up her mind to go through that wobbly object. It must be said that we had to adjust the pendulum several times, as we learned more about the behaviour of this magnificent bird.

Then the moment of truth finally came: after a few more hesitations, the female rushed inside the nest box. We were so overjoyed that we applauded. It must be said that we worked as hard as she did, even encouraging her from time to time. More wary, the male took longer before venturing inside. He had no reason to hurry, after all: the female was feeding the young perfectly well without him.

The bluebird can now be protected in its own nest box. With a pendulum, not a single house sparrow can evict it any more. Not even a tree swallow. Would you believe it? If house sparrows take over the nest boxes we intend for tree swallows, the tree swallows do just the same by evicting bluebirds.

While the 1996 experiment involved only a few nest boxes, the 1997 one covered about ten. Raynald Bourgault and Denis Gamache watched over their charges with exemplary care. It was essential that the bluebirds not desert the nest boxes, leaving the young to starve. It did not take them long to meet with success. A few days were enough. They kept an eye on the pendulums, adjusted them as needed, and admired both the wariness and the trust of the bluebirds.

That was time well invested and effort well rewarded. Every pendulum fitted to the boxes was a success. What more could we ask for? Bluebirds learn quickly and well, and there they are, safe from their many predators. Perhaps we can now dare to hope that these charming birds will multiply!