A Few Moments with Mama and Papa Bluebird

Yesterday morning our bluebirds had a little kerfuffle*.  Mama and Papa Bluebird have been hanging around our yard every morning for awhile now-- keeping an eye on our nesting boxes.  They've had a relatively easy time of guarding one so far, since their main housing competitors (here at least) -- tree swallows and house wrens; aren't back yet.  But then yesterday morning I glanced out the window to see both of them chasing another bird.  It happened so quickly, I didn't even see what kind of bird it was; but whatever it was... it got too close to their box.  The bluebirds fiercely chased it away and then came back to guard the box.

Immediately after the altercation, they both sat on top of the box for awhile,  looking this way and that.

Mama must have gotten some feathers slightly out of whack, because next she took a minute to preen.

Then Papa went to sit nearby on the fence.  The coast was clear, it seemed.

Although he still looks ready to take on any trouble makers.

Meanwhile, Mama sent him a message that she needed to make sure things were alright inside the house.

So he stood watch while she checked.

She hopped right on inside for a moment, while he anxiously waited.

Then she came out and flew to the fence post...

and then he also took a peek inside.  Phew, that was a close call.

All was right again in their world.  (By the way, they haven't started taking nesting material into the box yet).

Then, Papa felt comfortable enough that he could even sing.  He's singing in the next photo... see how his throat is puffed out?  Did you know that birds can sing with their bills closed?  Click here to read an article about how birds can do that.

 In the next photo, you can see the difference in his throat when he's not singing.

Mama bluebird was not long distracted by the incident either.  She flew up to a higher vantage point to watch for something to eat.  She didn't even seem to mind the strange thing up there.

Looks like it could be a bluebird spaceship, doesn't it?  (It's a weather station my husband got for Christmas).

* kerfuffle - "a commotion or fuss" -  I have a friend who uses this word fairly often, and it seemed fitting for this story.  I was so surprised that spell checker knew it!