Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

Did you Know?

 Typically have more than one successful brood per year.  Can spot their prey from up to 18m away.  Their eggs match their feathers and are also blue.

Photo: Brian Popelier 2015

Habitat – Open areas with scattered trees such as agricultural fields, roadsides, fallow fields, golf courses and residential parks and lawns.

Size – These birds average between 16-21cm in length, with a 25-32 cm wingspan. They weigh approximately 28-32 grams.

Range –Found in eastern Canada and eastern United States extending down into parts of Mexico.

Status – S5 - The populations of this bird are stable and not at risk.

Diet – Fruits and insects

Identification:

These small songbirds have a large , roundish head with big eyes. The male has the distinguishing blue colour on the head, back and upper wings with orange on the throat and breast. Females are similar but much duller. The song is a low pitched warbling sound made up of several phrases each containing 1-3 notes.

Photo: Brian Popelier 2015

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]

Interesting Facts

The male tries to attract the female to his nest cavity by flapping his wings and bringing nest material in and out of the hole. Once he is successful he is pretty much done as the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs.

Bluebirds experienced a drastic drop in numbers in the early twentieth century due to the introduction of invasive bird species from Europe, mainly the House Sparrow and European Starling. These birds were able to outcompete the Bluebirds for nesting sites. Since then the initiation of nesting box programs has allowed the Bluebirds to drastically increase their population.

When not using a nest box they choose natural cavities in trees excavated by woodpeckers.

The Eastern Bluebird on the Niagara Escarpment

The Bruce Trail Conservancy is continually acquiring and protecting land along the Niagara Escarpment, including open areas and agricultural fields which provide perfect habitat for these birds as they rear their young. BTC Land Stewardship have installed over 80 nesting boxes on properties all along the Escarpment to encourage the Bluebirds and other cavity nesters to utilize the Bruce Trail corridor.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]