ALEXANDRIA, VA-Eastern Bluebirds are not on the endangered species list. But they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. More aggressive birds like the European Starling and House Sparrow have taken over their habitat. Elijah Wilson, a sophomore at Mount Vernon High School, saw this firsthand and decided to take action.
“I was in my backyard and saw some of the birds killing the bluebirds because they were fighting over a birdhouse,” he said. “I decided if there are more birdhouses, there is going to be less competition, and there is going to be more friendliness.”
Elijah was in the process of completing his requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, which includes a service project. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, or “Eagle Project,” he led a group of volunteers in constructing 20 bluebird houses, which differ from other birdhouses in the fact that they are specifically designed to house and protect bluebirds. For example, the entrance hole of a bluebird house is higher than in normal birdhouses and they have large, sloped roofs, as well as predator guards.
“It was a lot of preparing and I basically set up a classroom for volunteers to build the house. I developed instructions, cut the appropriate measurements of wood, sanded it to make sure people didn’t get splinters, and prepped tables so they could work,” said Elijah.
He delivered the houses to the Virginia Bluebird Society in November and earned the rank of Eagle Scout on January 13, 2025, an achievement shared with individuals that include former U.S. President Gerald Ford, Neil Armstrong, and Steven Spielberg. Elijah will receive his rank at a Court of Honor ceremony on Saturday, March 8.
A resident of Northern Virginia his entire life, Elijah first joined the Cub Scouts in 2017 mainly to spend time with older brother. As he started approaching the Boy Scouts 10-18 age range, he saw other kids his age quit but decided to stay with the program.
“It just seemed like a great way to do a volunteer activity and a nice place to meet new friends and people,” said Elijah.
Elijah has been a Boy Scout in Troop 993 of the National Capital Area Council/Colonial District since 2020 and began working on the requirements for his Eagle rank in the eighth grade. In addition to the service projects, Eagle Scouts have to earn 21 merit badges.
“Your badges are essentially like an honors course at school where they are more in depth into that subject and help you develop communication, leadership, critical thinking, and many other skills,” he said.
Elijah currently has an A average in his AP and IB classes at Mount Vernon High School and is on the varsity cross country team. Through the Boy Scouts, he has earned both a Bronze and Silver US Congressional Medal and is going for a Gold this spring. Elijah also plans to go to college after graduating from high school.
“I’m not quite certain about what major I want exactly to pursue yet, but I do know that I want to go to UVA. It is one of my dream schools,’ he said.
Elijah is the first member of his patrol to earn an Eagle rank. To add even more context, only four percent of Boy Scouts have achieved this distinction since it was created in 1911. That being said, he just wants his Court of Honor event to be a fun time for all attendees.
“I just want people to enjoy the ceremony and then have some nice food afterwards,” said Elijah.
To learn more about bluebird conservation, go to Virginia Bluebird Society’s website at www.virginiabluebirds.org.
The original version of this report said Eastern Bluebirds are endangered. They are not on the endangered species list. The error has been corrected.
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