# 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.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/538f0e40-3f09-418c-b6bb-5b1c0bc9439b
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/12942
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sialia sialis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/667073287/medium.jpg (Judy Gallagher, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.