Sialia sialis
Copyright, Bill Horn
Eastern Bluebirds are a
medium-sized bird, growing up to seven inches long. Males
are easy to recognize, with a bright blue back, head, and
wings, and a rust-colored throat and breast. They have a
white belly. Females are similar, but much
duller. Eastern Bluebirds live in
open woods, clearings, fields,
gardens, streamsides, and roadsides. These birds are
cavity-dwellers, so they nest in natural tree
cavities,
old woodpecker holes, and bird boxes. Nests are built with
grasses
and weed
stems. Bluebirds mate in early
Spring and lay four to six pale blue eggs. The eggs are
incubated
(sat on and warmed) for about 12 days. Baby birds are fed by
their parents and will leave the nest in two or three
weeks. Copyright,
Ron
Austing
Copyright, Dr. Dan Sudia
Eastern Bluebirds are
nowhere near as common as they used to be. While they are
still around, and are seen when people build nest boxes,
scientists wonder why there aren't more. Most think it probably
has to do with other birds that live here, but were
introduced
from other places. European Starlings and House Sparrows are
also cavity-nesters, and scientists believe that these birds
are probably taking up all the nest sites. They may even
kick bluebirds out of their nests. Copyright, Chicago
Academy of Sciences Eastern Bluebirds eat a
wide variety of fruits, insects, and other invertebrates
(small animals without backbones), including: beetles,
grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, spiders, centipedes,
isopods, snails, earthworms, Flowering Dogwood, Eastern
Redcedar, Smooth Sumac, Virginia Creeper, Poison Ivy,
Pokeweed, blackberries, Common Elderberry, Black Cherry,
Japanese Honeysuckle, Wild Grape, American Holly, and
blueberries. Predators
of Eastern Bluebirds include hawks, owls, climbing snakes,
Raccoons, and squirrels. Much like American
Robins, Eastern Bluebirds are thought of as a first sign of
Spring. But, just like robins, bluebirds live here
year-round.
