How to Identify the Eastern Bluebird

The bluebird has become an icon for birdwatchers all over the United States since its severe decline since the early 1900's. Pesticides, land clearing and the introduction of house sparrows all but wiped them out along with the help of a few good hurricanes. Today, there are plenty of organizations that are working hard at bringing back the beautiful little bird into a healthy population. Bluebird houses can be found in backyards and parks all over the states. Knowing how to identify the different bluebirds that frequent your backyard will help you in noticing them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Know the bird's range of habitat. The Eastern Bluebird breeds east of the Rockies and south of the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. It lives year around in some areas, particularly in areas in the midsouth and overwinters in parts of northern Texas. It prefers to be in open areas such as farmland, parks, roadways along phone lines and fences.

2. 

   Look for a bright blue bird with a rust brown throat--almost orange--and a white belly. They have black legs and black eyes with a short sturdy beak. The female is not quite so brilliant but still has the muted blue back. Oftentimes when you see a blue colored bird, it will be a bluejay--especially farther north, but the bluebird is much smaller. It is a thrush and only about five inches long. If you are so fortunate to see its eggs, they will be less than an inch long, and light blue or white and there will be four to six of them at a time. Their nest will be made of grasses and stuck into a recess somewhere such as a tree cavity or fence post, always off the ground by two feet or more.

3. Watch his flight. The Eastern Bluebird flies in a straight line with almost a fluttering wing movement. It is quick in its short bursts of flight and then sits motionless on a lower branch or fence. It will watch for insects and then swoop down.

4. Listen to its call. It tends to be quiet instead of shrill, but if you are listening for it, you will recognize it by its soft and melodious warble. It almost sounds like plastic squeaking against something wet. It is not quite musical like some birds, but it makes up for it with its beauty.

5. 

   Watch what they eat. During the summer, their diet consists mostly of bugs, but during the winter months, it looks for berries and nuts. Bird feeders are a great attraction for them during the occasional winter snow and provide a steady source of food in areas where the temperatures do not drop much below 30 degrees.

Tips & Warnings

• Migratory birds are under federal protection so don't disturb their nests

[Hapworth]

on 7/31/2008 I have one and I love to watch it.

[klnygaard]

on 7/30/2008 very cool

[vikki9]

on 7/30/2008 Beautiful photos.

[oneloved]

on 7/30/2008 Great info!