Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Eastern Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters; they cannot peck out their own holes and rely on abandoned woodpecker nests or man-made birdhouses.
- Scientific name
- Sialia sialis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Turdidae › Sialia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open woodlands, orchards, meadows, and suburban gardens with scattered trees.
- Diet
- Primarily insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles during summer; switch to wild berries and fruits in winter.
- Range
- Eastern North America, Bermuda, Honduras, Nicaragua
- Size
- Length: 16-21 cm; Wingspan: 25-32 cm
- Lifespan
- 6 to 10 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Competition for nesting cavities from invasive species like House Sparrows, habitat loss, and pesticide use reducing food sources.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and a joy to observe. Maintain a respectful distance of at least 15-20 feet, especially near nesting boxes. Do not disturb nesting sites. If you find an injured bird, contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator; do not attempt to keep it as a pet.
The eastern bluebird ( Sialia sialis ) is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards. It is the state bird of Missouri and New York.
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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