Eastern Bluebird

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.

INTERESTING FACTS

When approached by a predator, male Eastern Bluebirds make a song-like warning cry. If a male is not present, a female will begin to sing, hoping to attract a protective male back to the territory.
Clutch size varies with latitude and longitude, with bluebirds farther north and farther west having larger clutches.
Their numbers have declined due to competition from starlings and house sparrows for nest sites.
A group of thrushes are collectively known as a "hermitage" and a "mutation" of thrushes.

The Eastern Bluebird has a large range, estimated globally at 5,500,000 square kilometers. It is native to the three nations of North America as well as Belize, Bermuda, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua and prefers forest, shrubland, and wetland ecosystems, though it has been known to reside in plantations. The global population of this bird is estimated to be 10,000,000 individuals and it does not appear to meet population decline criteria that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. The current evaluation status of the Eastern Bluebird is Least Concern.