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Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Thrushes (Turdidae)

Breeding Location:

Grassland with scattered trees



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Pairs



Breeding Population:

Fairly common in range



Egg Color:

Light blue or white



Number of Eggs:

4 - 6



Incubation Days:

12 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grasses and plant stems.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Eastern Bluebird: Small thrush with bright blue upperparts, rust-brown throat and breast, and white belly and vent. Forages in the open from low branches for insects, earthworms, and spiders. Eats mostly berries and seeds in winter. Slow, direct flight with shallow, jerky wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Eastern Bluebird: Breeds east of Rockies from southeast Canada to Gulf of Mexico; winters in southern portion of breeding range. Inhabits open woodlands, clearings, farmlands, parks, orchards, gardens, fields; often seen along roadsides on utility wires and fences.

Breeding and Nesting

Eastern Bluebird: Four to six light blue or white eggs are laid in a loose cup of grass and plant stems built in a natural tree cavity, old woodpecker hole, fence post or bird box; 2 to 50 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Eastern Bluebird: Feeds on insects, earthworms, snails, and other invertebrates, and is highly dependent upon berries during winter; forages from low perches, usually hawking insects.

Readily Eats

Raisins, Currants, Nut Meal

Vocalization

Eastern Bluebird: Call is a liquid and musical "turee" or "queedle." Song is a soft melodious warble.

Similar Species

Eastern Bluebird: Western Bluebird has gray throat and belly. Female Western Bluebird has a rust-brown tinge on nape and back.

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Family
Species Sialia sialis
Length7 - 7.75 Inches
Wingspan12.25 Inches

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird: Small thrush with bright blue upperparts, rust-brown throat and breast, and white belly and vent. Forages in the open from low branches for insects, earthworms, and spiders. Eats mostly berries and seeds in winter. Slow, direct flight with shallow, jerky wing beats.

● Song: "turee", "queedle"

● Foraging & Feeding: Eastern Bluebird: Feeds on insects, earthworms, snails, and other invertebrates, and is highly dependent upon berries during winter; forages from low perches, usually hawking insects.

● Breeding & nesting: Eastern Bluebird: Four to six light blue or white eggs are laid in a loose cup of grass and plant stems built in a natural tree cavity, old woodpecker hole, fence post or bird box; 2 to 50 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Eastern Bluebird: Western Bluebird has gray throat and belly. Female Western Bluebird has a rust-brown tinge on nape and back.

Flight Pattern

Slow flight with shallow wing beats.
Eastern Bluebird Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Eastern Bluebird: Breeds east of Rockies from southeast Canada to Gulf of Mexico; winters in southern portion of breeding range. Inhabits open woodlands, clearings, farmlands, parks, orchards, gardens, fields; often seen along roadsides on utility wires and fences.
BreedingMonogamous, Pairs
PopulationFairly common in range
MigrationSome migrate
Weight1.1 Ounces