Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Visual Identification
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.
Size
Length
16cm to 21cm
Wingspan
25cm to 32cm
Weight
27g to 34g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,700 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Eastern Bluebird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Eastern Bluebird demonstrates considerable agility in its hunting technique, often hovering briefly before dropping to catch prey. Their ability to spot insects from 60 feet away and execute precise aerial manoeuvres suggests high agility.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small thrush, the Eastern Bluebird has moderate strength relative to its size. While capable of carrying nesting materials and food for young, it's not known for exceptional feats of strength compared to larger birds.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Eastern Bluebirds show high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from woodlands to suburban areas. Their successful recovery following population declines, aided by nest box programmes, indicates strong adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally not considered aggressive, Eastern Bluebirds are more defensive than offensive. They may exhibit territorial behaviour during breeding season, but are known to form mixed flocks with other species in winter, suggesting low overall aggression.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Eastern Bluebird's partial migratory behaviour and ability to produce multiple broods per season indicate good endurance. Their stable population across a wide range of elevations (sea level to 2,000 metres) also suggests respectable stamina.
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.
Vocalisation
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 and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
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.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Sialia sialis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22708550A139388955.
View source - 2 3
report, 2019: Partners in Flight
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