Bluebird perched on Nest Box 3
The Eastern Bluebird is native to eastern parts of the United States. Adult male bluebirds are a vibrant blue color with warm red-brown breasts, while the females of the species have a lighter, grayer hue. This species mainly live in grasslands and eat insects, wild fruit and berries. To learn more about Eastern Bluebirds, follow this link: Eastern Bluebird Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Faculty and Staff at the Delaware Campus have initiated an educational project with the goal of aiding in the conservation of Eastern Bluebirds. In partnership with local representatives from the Ohio Bluebird Society, project partners set up six nestboxes around Moeller Hall to support the native bluebird population. The Delaware campus occupies excellent habitat for birds like the Eastern Bluebird, Tree Swallows, Redwing Blackbirds, Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer, and other native songbirds. At the start of the project in 2023, up to 90% of the native bluebird population in the Delaware area had been lost due to invasive species of House Sparrows and urban development. The project aims to provide continuous support for bluebird populations, as well as educational opportunities for students interested in environmental science, conservation, and ornithology.
The project is led by Gwynne Dilbeck, Art History instructor, and Ryan Homsher, Biology instructor.
Photo of a pair of tree swallows nesting in box 1.
Tree Swallow perched on Nest Box 1
Tree Swallows can be found in Ohio during their breeding season. These birds have blue green iridescent backs with white undersides. They eat by chasing and capturing insects on flights. While they normally nest in tree cavities, they also take up residence in nest boxes, making them visitors to our own Delaware campus nest boxes. To learn more about Tree Swallow, follow this link: Tree Swallow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
