Species Profile
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
6–10 years
Length
16–21 cm
Weight
27–34 g
Wingspan
25–32 cm
Migration
Partial migrant
Also known as: Bluebird
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Appearance
The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush with a round head and short, straight bill. Males display vibrant blue upperparts, rusty red throat, breasts, and white belly. The wings and tail are blue with black edges.
Females have duller blue wings and tails, with greyish heads and backs and paler orange-brown breasts. Juveniles show a speckled breast and blue-tinged wings and tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Blue
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Female Colors
- Primary
- Blue
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Male Markings
Blue upperparts, red-orange throat and breast
Tail: Blue with white edges
Female Markings
Duller blue upperparts, greyish head and back, pale orange-brown breast
Tail: Blue with white edges
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Eastern Bluebirds inhabit open woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas across eastern North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf states. They prefer areas with scattered trees and open ground for foraging.
Northern populations may move south in winter, while southern birds are often year-round residents. They are common in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Distribution
Diet
Eastern Bluebirds primarily feed on insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. They supplement their diet with small fruits, especially in winter. Bluebirds often hover briefly before dropping to the ground to catch prey.
Behaviour
Eastern Bluebirds often perch on wires, posts, or low branches, scanning the ground for insects. When pursuing prey, they exhibit a distinctive 'dropping' flight. During courtship, males perform wing-waving displays and offer food to females.
Calls & Sounds
The Eastern Bluebird's song is a series of soft, warbling phrases, often described as 'chur-lee, chur-lee'. When threatened, their call is a soft, low-pitched 'tu-a-wee' or a sharp, chattering alarm call. In flight, they make a distinctive 'pew' sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Eastern Bluebirds form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from March to August. Males attract females by carrying nesting material to potential nest sites and performing wing-waving displays.
Nests are built in natural cavities, old woodpecker holes, or nest boxes. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest using grasses and pine needles. She lays 3-7 pale blue eggs, occasionally white.
Incubation lasts about 13-16 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 15-20 days. Pairs often produce two to three broods per season.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Eastern Bluebirds faced declines in the early 20th century due to habitat loss and competition from introduced species.
Conservation efforts, including widespread nest box programs, have helped populations recover and stabilize.
Population
Estimated: 23,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Increasing[2]
Population has been increasing for the past 40 years
Elevation
Sea level to 2,700 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 2cm x 1.5cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include domestic cats, snakes, raccoons, and birds of prey such as hawks and owls.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, short chirps signaling distress or alert
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day, peaking at dawn and dusk
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, competition for nesting sites
- Parental care:
- Both parents feed chicks
- Primary calls:
- Soft, melodious warbles and churrs
- Social habits:
- Solitary or in small family groups
- Egg appearance:
- Light blue or occasionally white
- Feeding habits:
- Forages in trees and on the ground
- Breeding season:
- Spring to early summer
- Diet variations:
- Varies with season and food availability
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 2-3 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 4
- Call description:
- Song is a series of soft, melodious warbles
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, foraging for food in the morning and evening
- Nesting location:
- Cavities in trees or nest boxes
- Number of broods:
- Usually two, sometimes three
- Incubation period:
- 11-19 days
- Nest construction:
- Cup of grass and twigs
- Migration patterns:
- Partial migrant, some populations move south in winter
- Migratory patterns:
- Partial migrant, most populations remain in the same area year-round
- Age related changes:
- Coloration becomes less bright with age
- Prey capture method:
- Catches insects on the wing
- Conservation efforts:
- Nest box programs have been successful in increasing population
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends feeding and nesting territories
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returning to same nesting site each year
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 2-7 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Occasional interactions with other bird species, particularly during feeding
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for bluebirds perched on fences or wires in open country
- Listen for their soft, warbling song in early spring
- Check nest boxes in parks and gardens during breeding season
- Observe their hovering behavior when hunting insects
Did You Know?
- Eastern Bluebirds can spot insects on the ground from 60 feet away.
- They sometimes reuse their own feathers or snake skins in nest construction.
- Bluebirds may form small flocks in winter, often mixing with other species.
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