NESTING ABUNDANCE AND CLUTCH SIZE OF THE
EASTERN BLUEBIRD
Objective: To determine the average clutch size and nesting abundance of the eastern
bluebird.
Observation: Eastern bluebirds readily take to artificial nesting boxes.
Problem: What is the average number of eggs laid in an artificial nest box?
Hypothesis: The average clutch size for the eastern bluebird in an artificial nest box is 3.
Negative Hypothesis: Bluebirds do not consistently lay eggs in artificial nest boxes.
Experiment: Construct artificial nest boxes and place them in various locations and
monitor the use and clutch sizes of each box weekly. Take numbers
collected and average those numbers to form an accurate base representing
average clutch sizes.
Theory/Anticipated Results: I expect that around 80% of nest boxes to be occupied
with clutch sizes ranging from 3 – 5.