Eastern Bluebird

Eastern bluebird life history information:

American Ornithologists' Union Common Name: Eastern Bluebird
Family: Turdidae, Thrushes
Scientific name: Sialia sialis
Length: 7" (18 cm)
Diet: Insects, fruit, earthworms, snails, other invertebrates; especially berries. Young fed primarily insects. Hawking often from low perch, catching insects near ground. Very dependent on berries in winter.
Voice: Listen to Eastern Bluebird Song (recorded by Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Song a pleasing soft phrase of mellow whitstles chiti WEEW wewidoo and variations. Call of similar pleasant musical quality: a soft, husky whistle jeew or jeew wiwi; also a short, dry chatter.
Habitat: Found in open woodlands, farmslands, orchards.
Displays: Courting male sings and flutters in front of female, wings half open, tail spread, then perches beside and preens female, and may offer food.
Number of broods: 2, occasionally 3.
Nest: Often in woodpecker-excavated cavity; loose cup of grass, weed stems, pine needles, twigs, occasionally with hair or feathers. Built in average of 10-11 days. Female occasionally builds more than one nest.
Eggs: Averages 4-5 pale blue, occasionally white, unmarked eggs. 0.8" (21 mm).
Incubation period: 12-14 days
Fledge: 15-20 days after hatching
Longevity Record: 10 Years and 5 months (according to USGS Bird Banding Lab).

Thanks to organizations such as the North American Bluebird Society Eastern Bluebird populations are making a comeback. You can help by building and erecting bluebird nesting boxes as a way to supplement natural nesting cavities.

Live Eastern Bluebird WebCam

(from Cornell Lab of Ornithology Nestcam in Princeton, KY)
image is black at night - come back tomorrow

We highly recommend the Stokes Complete Guide to Attracting Bluebirds. It is a great comprehensive book that not only covers how to attract bluebirds, but complete life history information and fantastic bluebird photos as well.