Here's what I discovered. Bluebirds are considered "partial migrants." They tend to migrate to the southern portion of their breeding range, but some won't migrate at all instead staying to winter together in flocks. While their diet is about 68% insect, bluebirds will switch to berries and other plants when bugs are scarce. Virginia is within their year-round habitat and I am absolutely delighted that these colorful little feathered friends have decided to stay.
As a matter of fact, they offer a positive example for us humans. They mate for life. If we were as faithful at these sweet little birdies, we would have many fewer problems in our culture. The greatest guarantor of healthy (physically and mentally) children, is the intact family.
If you are having problems in your marriage, please get help. Divorce is a cultural disaster. Statistics show that parental divorce shaves four years off the lifespan of children (even adult children). And it is more likely that the children of divorce will themselves grow up and divorce. As the saying goes, the best things parents can do for their children is love one another. And I'm not talking about mush-love, that sparkly "feeling" accompanied by candlelight and romantic music. Love is an action verb and here are a few of its qualities: sacrificing, suffering, dutiful, hard-working, forgiving, faithful.... Love can be fun and games, but it also involves pain and anguish. Those who want only the first part should go to the video arcade.
As for my birdies, I'm smiling and thanking God for what I will think of as a "bluebird moment," one that involves being surprised by joy.
We had Bluebirds nest in our mailbox a few years back. They had five chicks and it was wonderful to watch it all unfold. Later in the season the entire family would perch on our backyard fence and swoop into the yard for food. We loved watching them.
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