A male Eastern Bluebird stands on a wooden nestbox attached to a fence post. The bluebird’s song – and his alert presence - assert his claim to this territory. In the mid-20th Century, the numbers of bluebirds in the Northeast declined to the lowest level ever, due largely to nesting competition from non-native starlings and House Sparrows. Then, conservation groups stepped up, setting out “bluebird trails” of nestboxes. Thanks to groups like the North American Bluebird Society, we can still count on bluebirds to welcome the arrival of spring.

This episode is brought to you by Wild Delight Bird Food, which aims to support wild bird populations with clean, nutritious ingredients in every blend. Available at Chewy.com.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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