Eastern Bluebird Identification
These birds are small thrush type birds with a round head and big belly.
Male Bluebirds
The male Bluebirds are particularly bright in color as you can see in the photo above. They have a bright blue colored head and back along with their tail feathers. Their throat and chest are a bright rusty color.
Female Bluebirds
Female Bluebird
The female bluebirds have the same color pattern as the males and they are a similar size, however their coloring is much more subdued. Their head appears an almost grayish color as you can see in the photo above.
Juvenile Bluebirds
The juvenile Bluebirds have spotting on their backs and chests and some blue
beginning in their wings and chests.
beginning in their wings and chests.
Feeding Behavior and Diet
From spring to early fall the Bluebirds diets consist of mainly insects. In the winter they rely mainly on fruits. As you can see in the photo above they will also resort to seeds in the winter.
I have found that if I do not clean out my flower containers after blooming season the Bluebirds and other birds like to rummage through the dead plants.
Nesting
Although Bluebirds will use a nest box they also like holes in old trees, particularly old woodpecker nests. They fill their nests with grass and other plant material. A Bluebird usually lays 4-5 eggs and they are inculpated by the female for 11-19 days. The fledgling birds leave the nest in about 19 days.
References
I gathered my information from several online sources as well as from my book Backyard Guide to the Birds. Here are my references.
- allaboutbirds.org/guide
- Audubon.org
- wild-bird-watching.com
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