Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Order

PASSERIFORMES

Family

Thrushes (Turdidae)

Code 4

EABL

Code 6

SIASIA

ITIS

Egg Color:

Light blue or white



Number of Eggs:

4 - 6



Incubation Days:

12 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Location:

In tree cavity or abandoned nest.



Nest Material:

Grasses and plant stems.



Migration:

Some migrate



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General

Eastern Bluebird: Small thrush with bright blue upperparts, rust-brown throat and breast, and white belly and vent. Female is similar but much duller. Juvenile has gray-brown upperparts, white spots on back, brown breast with white scaling, white belly and eye ring, and blue-tinged wings and tail.

Range and Habitat

Eastern Bluebird: Breeds east of Rockies from southeastern Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico; winters in the southern portion of breeding range and into Mexico. Inhabits open woodlands, clearings, farmlands, parks, orchards, gardens, fields; can often be seen along roadsides on utility wires and fences.

Breeding and Nesting

Eastern Bluebird: Four to six light blue or white eggs are laid in a loose cup of grass and plant stems built in a natural tree cavity, old woodpecker hole, fence post or bird box; 2 to 50 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Eastern Bluebird: Feeds on insects, earthworms, snails, and other invertebrates, and is highly dependent upon berries during winter; forages from low perches, usually hawking insects.

Readily Eats

Mealworms

Vocalization

Eastern Bluebird: Call is a liquid and musical "turee" or "queedle." Song is a soft melodious warble.

Similar Species

Eastern Bluebird: Mountain Bluebird is blue overall. Western Bluebird has blue throat and gray belly.

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UpperpartsX
Back, rump, hindneck, wings, and crown.
BellyX
The ventral part of the bird, or the area between the flanks on each side and the crissum and breast. Flight muscles are located between the belly and the breast.
BreastX
The upper front part of a bird.
Eye ringX
The circle around the eye formed of feathers that are a different color from the rest of the face.
VentX
Birds do not have two separate cavities for excrement and reproduction like humans do. In birds, there is one single entrance/exit that suits both functions called the vent, cloaca or anus.
Parts of a Standing bird X
Head Feathers and Markings X
Parts of a Flying bird X