Bluebird Facts

Bluebirds are one of North America's most beloved birds, and one of many songbirds that have suffered declining populations. Bluebird numbers continue to decrease due to several reasons, including:

• Clean bluebird houses at the end of the summer when birds have vacated the home
• Do not touch bluebird houses in the winter - roosts can be filled with large numbers of bluebirds gathered together for warmth
• Eastern bluebirds will build as many as three nests in a season
• Bluebird eggs range in numbers from 3-8 and are pale blue
• Incubation period is two weeks, and nestlings are ready to leave the nest within 18-20 days from hatching
• Openings in bluebird houses should face away from direct sunlight
• Face hole openings towards trees and shrubs for young birds to practice flying
• Avoid heavily wooded areas

Eastern Bluebird Facts

• Rocky Mountain region
• The most likely to head South for the winter, with heavy snow and freezing ice storms covering most of their winter food supplies
• Small in size, the male's head, back, wings and tail are bright blue, and the breast, throat and sides are rusty. Females are similar in appearance, but duller and more gray in color.

Western and Mountain Bluebird Facts

• Regions overlap, so Western and Mountain Bluebirds can often be found nesting on the same trails
• Western Bluebird lives in the western parts of North America, and the Mountain Bluebirds lives primarily in the Rocky Mountain region
• The Mountain Bluebird likes high elevations but can be found at low elevations

• Appearance:

  • Mountain Bluebird: The male is almost completely blue with the exception of a white belly, and the female is mostly gray with a touch of blue in her tail feathers and wings

  • Western Bluebird: The male's head, back, wings, throat and tail are bright blue, and a rusty underside spreads from the breast and sides to the upper back. Females are duller and more gray in color.

Bluebirds are insectivores, and will eat insects, worms, small spiders, grasshoppers, and crickets. Wildlife such as poison ivy, mistletoe, pokeweed, and berry bushes are the less preferred food for bluebirds, but they will use these to survive when insects are not available. Bluebirds will also eat raisins soaked in water, and mealworms. If you would like to offer food for your bluebirds, in addition to planting trees and shrubs that bear fruit, Platform Bird Feeders are a good option. Bluebirds will feed off platforms, and also like to eat off the ground.