If the birds held a popularity contest, Bluebirds would probably win. Everyone loves them. Perhaps that’s because they’re so well mannered. They help us by eating the bugs that bug us. They take good care of their families, with the males defending their territories while the females fuss over the nestlings. And when the sun hits their feathers, just so, they shine with the most amazing sky blue.

It’s a good thing many people like bluebirds, because they could use our help. All three bluebird species have declined in numbers since the early 1800s. There are several reasons.

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