Eastern Bluebird

(Sialia sialis)

April 1999 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet Number 2

General Information

The eastern bluebird is a favorite migratory songbird of birders and non-birders

alike. The bird’s bright blue color and melodious song make it a welcome

visitor to backyards. The history of the bluebird spans a series of struggles and

successes and only recently, through active wildlife management, has its future

been considered secure. During the days of frontier settlement, the bluebird

was among the wildlife species that benefited from the decimation of the

eastern forests. The conversion of forest into pasture, orchards, and homesites

created an abundance of ideal bluebird habitat – open areas that supported the

nesting and foraging activities of the species. Farmers unintentionally assisted

bluebirds by bordering their fields with wooden fence posts, thus supplying

additional nesting sites. Combined, these factors led to a proliferation of bluebird numbers throughout

the eastern United States through the mid-1800s. However, this situation changed in the late nineteenth

century with the introduction of the European starling and the English house sparrow. In the twentieth

century, increased use of harmful pesticides, replacement of wooden fence posts with metal posts,

clearing of field borders and fence rows to increase cropland acreage, and a growing human population

also contributed to population reductions. Fortunately, the favored status of the bluebird and its acceptance of artificial nesting structures has led to increased efforts to boost its populations to sustainable

levels. Placement of thousands of nest boxes by concerned individuals has contributed significantly to

ensuring a future for the eastern bluebird. The ongoing recovery of the eastern bluebird is an example of

how sound wildlife management practices have been used to increase the survival success of an individual wildlife species.

This pamphlet is designed to serve as an introduction to the habitat requirements of the eastern bluebird

and to assist in the development of a comprehensive bluebird management plan. The success of any

individual species management plan depends on targeting the specific needs of the species and analyzing

the designated habitat areas as a whole to ensure that all required habitat elements are present. This

guide also provides recommendations for program monitoring to document successes and to ensure that

problems are addressed as they arise.

Range

The summer, winter, and breeding ranges of the eastern bluebird differ primarily in how far south the

bird reaches within each range. Eastern bluebirds nest from southern Saskatchewan, east across southern Canada to Nova Scotia, south to southern Florida, and south from eastern foothills of the Rocky

Mountains from Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Dakotas south to Texas. Bluebirds winter in the

middle parts of eastern North America south into Mexico, the Gulf coast, and southern Florida. Populations also exist in southeast Arizona and extend south to Nicaragua.

Wildlife Habitat Management Institute Maslowski Wildlife Productions
Habitat Requirements

General

Ideal eastern bluebird habitat consists of scattered hardwoods and grasslands in a rural setting. Frequently used

grassy areas include meadows, pastures, yards, roadsides,

power line rights-of-way,

and farmlands. Mowed areas such as golf courses, large

lawns, and grazed areas provide suitable habitat as well.

Open grassy areas provide foraging habitat, and nearby

trees serve as perching or possible nesting sites. Although eastern bluebird populations are on the rise, the

largest threat to their future is the continued loss of nesting habitat. By protecting snags (dead or dying

standing trees) and properly managing open grassy areas, landowners can assist in the continued success

of eastern bluebirds and other species that rely on similar habitat.

Food

Approximately two-thirds of the diet of an adult eastern bluebird consists of insects and other invertebrates. The remainder of the bird’s diet is made up of wild fruits. Favored insect foods include grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and beetles. Other food items include earthworms, spiders, millipedes,

centipedes, sow bugs, and snails. Fruits are especially important when insects are scarce in the winter

months. Some preferred winter food sources include dogwood, hawthorn, wild grape, and sumac and

hackberry seeds. Supplemental fruits eaten include blackberries, bayberries, fruit of honeysuckle,

Virginia creeper, red cedar, and pokeberries. Bluebirds feed by perching on a high point, such as a

branch or fence post, and swooping down to catch insects on or near the ground. The availability of a

winter food source will often determine whether or not a bird will migrate. If bluebirds do remain in a

region for the winter, they will group and seek cover in heavy thickets, orchards, or other areas in which

adequate food and cover resources are available.

Important eastern bluebird food items. The following species are known to be important food

items in the diet of eastern bluebirds. Those species in bold print are of particular value for their

usefulness as a winter food source.

Insects and other invertebrates:

grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, beetles, earthworms, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, sow bugs,

and snails

Plants and Fruits:

dogwood, hawthorn, wild grape, sumac seeds, hackberry seeds, blackberries, bayberries,

honeysuckle, red cedar, pokeberries, and Virginia creeper

These plant species may be used to enhance vegetation that already exists in and along open

areas, brush and fence rows, and woodlots. Adding these species to those currently existing will

enhance both food and insect availability for eastern bluebirds.

Breeding

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Cover – Nesting

The eastern bluebird

is a cavity-nesting

species, but does not

have the ability to

create its own

nesting cavity. It

must rely on the

abandoned cavities

of woodpeckers or

find other natural

cavities such as

open tops of rottedout stumps or wooden fence posts. Nesting

boxes are also readily accepted for nesting.

Nesting pairs typically select cavities 3 to 20

feet above ground in areas where abundant

open space provides an insect base on which to

forage. The role of the nesting cavity remains

important throughout nestling development, as

young remain in the nest dependent upon

parent bluebirds until fledging roughly 15 to 18

days after hatching. Optimal nesting habitat contains up to seven suitable cavities per acre and an

adequate number of perches from which to forage in close proximity to foraging habitat. In areas

that lack snags or natural cavities, nest boxes can be used to augment the availability of natural

cavities.

Cover – Winter

In areas where bluebirds winter, habitat

requirements differ little from nesting

or summer cover types. Woodland

edges, fence rows, open fields, mowed

yards, cemeteries, and farmlands

provide adequate winter cover needs

when mixed with snags, open grassy

areas, and wild fruit-bearing trees and

shrubs. Nest boxes can provide roosting cover for bluebirds in winter

months as well. Due to the variability

in climates between the cooler, northern reaches and warmer, southern

reaches of the bluebird’s range, available food sources may differ but

habitat requirements remain constant.

The year-round availability of insects

determines where bluebirds winter.

Nest Box Design. — Nest boxes should be

constructed of a weather-resistant wood; cedar is often

recommended. The wood can be painted or stained,

but only on the outside surface. The entrance hole

should be 1.5 inches in diameter. Numerous nest box

designs have been used with success; figure 1 provides

one example. A good method of assisting fledglings in

their climb from the nest to the entrance hole is to

roughen up the inside wood surface under the hole with

a chisel. The lid or one side of the box should open to

facilitate monitoring and cleaning. Three or four

1/4 inch drain holes should be drilled into the box

bottom. Ventilation and shade requirements are met by

overhanging roofs and construction designs described

in figure 1. All bluebird boxes should be fitted with a

galvanized sheet metal predator guard (see fig. 2). The

predator guard should be placed on the pole 6 to 12

inches below the bottom of the box. Also, to help deter

predation, an even coating of non-drying crankcase

grease or carnauba wax can be applied to the pole from

the ground to six inches below the box.

Carol Henderson

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Water

Water requirements for bluebirds are assumed to be met when the birds nest in areas with suitable

nesting and wintering habitat. The bluebird’s foraging behavior and the types of food eaten provide

it with an adequate amount of water.

Interspersion of Habitat Components

In order for successful bluebird reproduction and survival to occur, all required habitat components

must be available in relative proximity to one another. Since bluebirds are migratory and highly

mobile during winter, the most critical aspect of habitat interspersion, or the mix of different habitat

types, is the proximity of suitable foraging habitat to nesting habitat in the spring. The highestquality nesting habitat is of little use if the nearest open foraging habitat is not within close proximity. Likewise, the best foraging habitat will not support nesting pairs if there are no available nest

cavities. Ideal interspersion of the bluebird’s required habitat components consists of a complex of

open grassy fields, either mown or of low growth, widely scattered trees, berry-producing shrubs and

vines, snags, and perches in the form of trees, shrubs, utility wires, telephone poles, or fence posts.

Minimum Habitat Requirements

Minimum habitat requirements become an issue only when two or more nesting pairs desire to nest

within one general area. Because bluebirds are territorial, nesting pairs typically will nest in cavities

that are separated by at least 100 yards. Thus, nest boxes should be spaced at least 100 yards apart if

more than one box is placed in an area. In general, an area the size of a football field is needed

between two boxes for the boxes to be most attractive to bluebirds. Lands outside the immediate

planning area should be considered when making the determination of minimum habitat area for

bluebird reproduction.

Nest Box Installation. – Place eastern bluebird nest boxes in open grassy areas that are accompanied by

widely scattered trees and shrubs. Open areas are preferred, as placement of boxes in or near areas thick with

brush and woody vegetation likely will result in habitation of many boxes by house wrens. Boxes should be

placed at least 100 yards apart to accommodate individual territories established by nesting pairs during the

breeding season. Boxes should be placed well away from buildings because of the high concentration of house

sparrows generally found near human habitations. Mount nest boxes 4 to 6 feet above the ground on a metal or

wooden post equipped with a predator guard as shown in figure 2. Research has shown that placing boxes low to

the ground, at 4 to 5 feet, may help to deter sparrows from inhabiting them. Boxes should face away from

prevailing winds and rain and be placed in a location that will enable the box to receive a fair amount of sunlight.

Ideally, a tree or shrub should be located 25 to 100 feet away in front of a box entrance. This will provide a perch

for foraging adults and fledglings will use this cover on their first flight out of the box. Nest boxes should be

located far away from any area that is heavily treated with pesticides or herbicides. Overall, one should attempt to

accommodate the natural nesting instincts and requirements of the birds while still allowing for weekly monitoring

during the breeding season.

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Figure 1 Eastern bluebird nesting box design

North American Bluebird Society, P.O. Box 74, Darlington, WI 53530-0074

E-mail: nabluebird@aol.com Web: www.cobleskill.edu/nabs/

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Figure 2 Standard cone-shaped predator guard

Below is a top view layout for cutting a predator guard from a 3 foot x

3 foot sheet of 26-gauge galvanized metal. The first cut is to remove a 60-degree

wedge from the sheet. The center hole is then cut.

The side view shows a guard affixed to a nest box post. This is done by

overlapping the edges of the 60-degree wedge to the shown dotted line. Bolts or

screws are then used to form the sheet into a cone. Fasten the guard to the post

with supporting brackets. Note: 3 wooden mounting blocks can also be placed on

the underside of the guard to fasten it to the post. Fasten the blocks to the guard

and post with screws. The predator guard should be placed on the post so the

bottom of the guard is at least 4 feet from the ground.

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Eastern Bluebird Habitat Requirements Summary Table

Habitat Component Habitat Requirements

Food – Young • Small, tender insects at hatching. Larger insects as maturity is reached.

Food – Adult • Insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and beetles; and earthworms, spiders,

millipedes, centipedes, sow bugs, and snails.

• Fruits of dogwood, hawthorn, wild grape, and sumac and hackberry seeds in the winter

months.

• Fruits such as blackberries, bayberries, fruit of honeysuckle, Virginia creeper, red cedar,

and pokeberries.

Nesting Cover • Natural tree cavities, rotted stumps, wooden fence posts or artificial nesting boxes located

in or in close proximity to open fields, roadsides, meadows, mowed yards, golf courses,

cemeteries, or farmlands.

Brood-Rearing Cover • Same requirements as nesting cover. Nestlings remain in the cavity/nest dependent on

adult bluebirds until fledging roughly 15 to 18 days after hatching.

Winter Cover • Nest boxes, woodland edges, fence rows, open fields, mowed yards, cemeteries, and

farmlands where adequate ratios of snags exist with open grassy areas, and fruit-bearing

trees and shrubs produce a food source.

Water • Water requirements for bluebirds are met through daily food intake.

Interspersion • Prefer a complex of open, low-growing grassy fields, either mown or growing freely,

widely scattered trees, berry-producing shrubs and vines, snags, and perches in the form

of trees, shrubs, utility wires, telephone poles, or fence posts.

Minimum Habitat Size • 100 yards or more is required between two nesting cavities that are actively being used.

Limiting Factors

For planning purposes, use the inventory table of limiting factors on the next page to inventory the

site to determine the availability of each of the basic habitat components, based on the above narrative habitat requirement descriptions. Habitat components that are absent or rated low are limiting

the habitat quality for eastern bluebirds.

Exotic Species Control – A major factor leading to the decline of eastern bluebird populations has been nesting

competition with non-native species, specifically European starlings and house sparrows. Simple steps can be taken,

however, to prevent the use of boxes by exotic species. By using the nest box entrance hole dimensions shown in Figure 1,

starlings should be prevented from entering nest boxes. However, house sparrows will continue to be a problem. Sparrows

will aggressively compete with native species for nesting sites, going so far as to destroy the eggs and kill the nestlings of

native cavity-nesting birds. Boxes should be constructed without a perch post to discourage sparrow use. If house sparrows

are found to be nesting in a box, remove and dispose of the nest and its contents. Trapping and eliminating the adult bird in

the box is more effective than simply removing the nests. Trapping with inside-the-box traps or bait-type traps such as those

made by Trio‚ and Hav-a-hart‚ is recommended. If uncomfortable with removing the birds or nests, another option is to

vigorously shake the eggs, or addle them, for 60 seconds and leave them in the nest so that the female will continue to

expend reproductive energy without hatching success. This also prevents the exotic species from attempting to take over

another box. Other native cavity-nesting birds, such as Carolina and black-capped chickadee, tree swallow, house wren,

house finch, tufted titmouse, and great-crested flycatcher may use and are welcomed in nest boxes. Because they are

federally protected, it is illegal to destroy them, their nests, or their eggs. Therefore, nest monitors must be certain of the

bird species nesting in a box before control measures are implemented. Two aids, Guide to Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of

North American Birds, and Birds’ Nests, in the Peterson Field Guide Series are recommended (complete citings included in

the reference section). Note: Box placement is the best method to control exotic species. Careful box placement will also

reduce competition from tree swallows and house wrens. Placing boxes a good distance from buildings and human

habitation will work to prevent house sparrows from using bluebird boxes. Using box pairing and placing boxes in open

grassy areas away from brushy, woody vegetation will help to reduce over-use of boxes by non-target natives such as tree

swallows and house wrens.

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Inventory of Limiting Factors

Availability/Quality

Habitat Component High Medium Low Absent

Food

Nesting cover

Winter cover (may not be applicable if

eastern bluebirds do not winter in the area)

Interspersion of habitat components

Minimum habitat size

Management Prescriptions

Management treatments should address the habitat components that are determined to be limiting

eastern bluebird habitat potential. For planning purposes, select among the possible action items

listed below to raise the quality or availability of each habitat component determined to be limiting.

A list of programs that may provide financial or technical assistance to carry out specific management practices is provided.

Habitat Management options for increasing Assistance

Component habitat quality or availability Programs

Food Plant, preserve, and encourage berry-producing trees, WHIP, EQIP, PFW, CRP

shrubs, and vines (see plant species list insert).

Maintain grassy and open field areas by conducting WHIP, EQIP, PFW, CRP

rotational mowing and managed grazing where appropriate.

Nesting and Install artificial nesting boxes in open field areas. WHIP, PFW

brood-rearing cover

Preserve large live and dead-standing hardwood trees N/A

conducive to natural cavities in and adjacent to open field areas.

Preserve snags, wooden fence posts, and rotten tree N/A

stumps conducive to natural cavities. Girdle nonmastproducing hardwoods to create snags.

Winter cover Plant, preserve, and encourage berry-producing trees, WHIP, EQIP, PFW, CRP

shrubs, and vines (see plant species list insert).

Preserve old growth timber, including both large, live WHIP, PFW

and dead standing hardwood trees, conducive to

natural cavities in and adjacent to open field areas.

Preserve snags, wooden fence posts, and rotten tree N/A

stumps conducive to natural cavities.

Interspersion and Combine above prescriptions to increase interspersion of WHIP, CRP, PFW, EQIP

minimum habitat components or size of habitat blocks available.

habitat size

Landowners interested in making their individual efforts more valuable to the community can work

with WHC and NRCS to involve school and scout groups and their families in habitat projects. A

bluebird management project is an easy way to provide fun, hands-on learning opportunities, especially for children. If the land is corporate owned, encourage interested employees to become

involved. Involve students or scouts in building and monitoring nest boxes. The educational benefits

can greatly increase the value of your individual bluebird management project.

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Nest Box Monitoring — Before nesting boxes are erected, a maintenance, monitoring, and data collection plan should be

developed to ensure program success. Unmonitored boxes may be counter-productive by helping to increase populations of

exotic competitor species such as house sparrow. It is essential to erect only as many boxes as can be realistically monitored.

Boxes should be monitored once a week during the breeding season (March-July). However, monitors should avoid disturbing

boxes during cold, rainy, or other inclement weather that may harm nesting birds or eggs. Activity characteristic of adult nesting

bluebirds includes frequent entering and exiting of the nest box with either nest materials or food, as well as adults leaving the box

carrying fecal sacs for disposal. Approach nest boxes from an angle and make a slight noise to flush the female from the nest.

Gently tapping on the box may cue the female to exit as well. Once the female exits, the box can be opened and its contents

recorded. Boxes should not, however, be opened after the 12th day following hatching to prevent young from prematurely

leaving the nest. Move away from the box at the same angle but in the opposite direction in which it was approached, keeping

footsteps around the box to a minimum. This will help to reduce predation by not establishing a scent trail that results from

approaching and returning from a box along the same path. Since bluebird pairs often raise more than one clutch each season, old

nests should be removed from boxes after each clutch fledges. Boxes should be left out at the end of the nesting season, as they

sometimes provide winter shelter for various species of birds and other wildlife. Clean nesting materials may be beneficial to

wildlife using boxes in the winter and can be left in boxes at season’s end. Boxes should be cleaned of all nesting materials in the

spring, however, before the start of the nesting season. For Wildlife Habitat Council member organizations, the monitoring

program may enroll in WHC’s Nest Monitoring Program, useful in WHC’s Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification Program.

Enrollment can be accomplished by contacting the WHC Nest Monitoring Program Coordinator at (301) 588-8994. Data

collected using the Nest Box Data Sheet on page 10 of this leaflet can also be sent to the North American Bluebird Society, P.O.

Box 74, Darlington, WI 53530, to aid in evaluating the status of the eastern bluebird throughout North America.

State fish and wildlife agencies and private groups such as state Audubon societies,

American Birding Association, North American Bluebird Society, and others may have assistance programs in your state.

Land Eligibility

Highly erodible

land, wetland, and

certain other lands

with cropping

history. Streamside areas in pasture

land

Cropland, range,

grazing land and

other agricultural

land in need of

treatment

Most degraded fish

and/or wildlife

habitat

Private land

Corporate land

High-priority fish

and wildlife

habitats

Type of Assistance

50% cost-share for establishing permanent cover and

conservation practices, and annual rental payments

for land enrolled in 10- to 15-year contracts. Additional financial incentives are available for some

practices

Up to 75% cost-share for conservation practices in

accordance with 5- to 10-year contracts. Incentive

payments for certain management practices

Up to 100% financial and technical assistance to

restore wildlife habitat under minimum 10-year

cooperative agreements

Technical and program development assistance to

coalesce habitat efforts of corporations and private

landowners to meet common watershed level goals

Technical assistance on developing habitat projects

into a program that will allow companies to involve

employees and the community

Up to 75% cost-share for conservation practices

under 5- to 10-year contracts

Contact

NRCS or FSA State

or County Office

NRCS State or

County Office

Local office of the

U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service

Wildlife Habitat

Council (301-588-

8994)

Wildlife Habitat

Council (301-588-

8994)

NRCS State or

County Office

State or local

contacts

Program

Conservation

Reserve Program

(CRP)

Environmental

Quality Incentives

Program (EQIP)

Partners for Fish

and Wildlife

Program (PFW)

Waterways for

Wildlife

Wildlife at Work‚

Wildlife Habitat

Incentives Program (WHIP)

Programs that provide technical and financial assistance to develop fish and wildlife habitat on

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Nest Box Monitoring Data Sheet

Landowner, Company, or Site

Name___________________________________________________________

Location_________________________________________________________________________________

Year________________________ Monitor__________________________________________

Box Number_________________

First Brood Second Brood

Species

Eggs Laid

Young Hatched

Young Fledged

Hatch Date

Cause of Nest Failure

Notes/Observations:

Date___________________

Year________________________ Monitor__________________________________________

Box Number_________________

First Brood Second Brood

Species

Eggs Laid

Young Hatched

Young Fledged

Hatch Date

Cause of Nest Failure

Notes/Observations:

Date___________________

• Wildlife Habitat Council: 1010 Wayne Ave., Ste. 920, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 588-8994

• North American Bluebird Society: P.O. Box 74, Darlington, WI 53530-0074

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References

Anonymous. Snag and Den Tree Habitats for Wildlife. Wyoming Game and Fishing Department.

Baicich, P. and C. Harrison. 1997. Guide to Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds.

Academic Press and Harcourt Brace. 347 pp.

Bookout, T.A., Editor. 1994. Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitats.

Fifth ed. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD. 740 pp.

Boon, B. and H. Groe. 1990. photograph. Nature’s Heartland. Iowa State University Press.

Bull, J. and J. Farrand, Jr. 1977. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds,

Eastern Region. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 784 pp.

Ehrlich, P.R., D.S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988 The Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the

Natural History of North American Birds. Simon & Schuster Inc., New York. 785 pp.

Harrison, H.H. 1975. Birds’ Nests. A Field Guide to the Birds’ Nests – United States East of the

Mississippi River. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. New York. 257 pp.

Henderson, C.L. 1987. photograph. Landscaping for Wildlife. Minnesota Department of Natural

Resources.

Maslowski Wildlife Productions. photograph. Arkansas Wildlife. Ed. Keith Sutton. Winter 1997-

98.

North American Bluebird Society. 1999. Eastern Bluebird Nest Box, in

www.cobleskill.edu/nabs/eastbox.htm

Patterson, R.M. 1981. Protecting nesting boxes from climbing predators. Sialia. 3:133-135.

Peterson, R.T. 1980. Eastern Birds. Fourth ed. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 384 pp.

Pinkonski, B.C. 1977. Foraging behavior of the eastern bluebird. Wilson Bulletin. 89:404-414.

Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun, and H.S. Zim. 1983. Birds of North America. Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine, Wisconsin. 360 pp.

Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, G. Gough, I. Thomas, and B.G. Peterjohn. 1997. The North American

Breeding Bird

Survey Results and Analysis. Version 96.4. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland.

Sauer, J.R., S. Schwartz, and B. Hoover. 1996. The Christmas Bird Count Home Page. Version

95.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland.

Solem, J.K. 1994. Orientation and Spacing of Nesting Boxes Used by Eastern Bluebirds and Tree

Swallows. Sialia. 16:127-129.

Stokes, D. and L. Stokes. 1989. A Guide to Bird Behavior, Volume III. Little, Brown, and Company.

Boston, Massachusetts. 397 pp.

Terres, J.K. 1991. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Wings Books,

New York. 1110 pp.

Zeleny, L. 1976. The Bluebird. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana. 170 pp.

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NRCS

Wildlife Habitat Management Institute

100 Webster Circle, Suite 3

Madison, MS 39110

(601) 965-5886

In cooperation with partners, the

mission of the Wildlife Habitat

Management Institute is to develop

and disseminate scientifically based

technical materials that will assist

NRCS field staffs and others to

promote conservation stewardship of

fish and wildlife and deliver sound

habitat management principles and

practices to America’s land users.

www.whmi.iastate.edu

Wildlife

Habitat Council

1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 920

Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 588-8994

The Wildlife Habitat Council’s

mission is to increase the amount of

quality wildlife habitat on corporate,

private, and public land. WHC

engages corporations, public agencies,

and private, non-profit organizations

on a voluntary basis as one team for

the recovery, development, and

preservation of wildlife habitat

worldwide.

www.wildlifehc.org

Peer reviewed by;

North American Bluebird Society

P.O. Box 74

Darlington, WI 53530-0074

Net: www.cobleskill.edu.com

E-mail: nabluebird@aol.com

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national

origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply

to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal

opportunityprovider and employer.

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