Eastern Bluebird

birds · North America · blue beauties

Brilliant blue feathers. Eastern bluebirds are famous for their striking cobalt blue backs and rusty orange-red breasts. The males are even more colorful than the females, with deeper, more vibrant blue plumage.

Cavity nesters. These birds don't build nests like most birds do. Instead, they move into empty holes in dead trees or use nest boxes that people put up for them on farms and in gardens.

Aerial insect hunters. Eastern bluebirds have an amazing hunting skill where they perch and watch the ground, then swoop down to snatch insects like beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders mid-flight.

Seasonal travelers. Eastern bluebirds migrate, which means they fly south in the fall to find warmer places and fly back north in spring to breed. Some populations travel over 1,000 miles each way.

Gentle singers. Male eastern bluebirds sing soft, warbling songs to attract mates and defend their territory, especially during spring breeding season.