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Eastern Bluebird
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Sialia
Species: Sialia sialis

The Eastern Bluebird, or Sialia sialis, is a member of the family Turdidae. This bird is generally 7-7.5 inches long and has a wingspan of 11.5-13 inches. The Eastern Bluebird is the state bird of New York.

Appearance[]

The Eastern Bluebird is a brightly colored blue and red bird. The male bird's head, wings, and tail are blue, but its belly is red and white. The legs and feet are black. Also, its beak is yellow and black. The female's head is gray or brown and its colors are paler than the male's and younger birds are brown with some white and blue plumage.

Feeding[]

These birds will come to feeding stations. They are attracted to places that have peanut butter-cornmeal mixtures, black sunflower seeds, and mealworms.

Nesting[]

The Eastern Bluebird builds its nests out of grass, weed stems, pine needles, twigs, hair, and feathers. Their nests can be located in abandoned woodpecker holes, a natural hollow in a tree or stump, or bird boxes. These nests are always built by the female bird. Eastern Bluebirds lay 2-7 light blue or white eggs, and usually have 2-3 broods per year. The incubation process is performed by the female bird from 12-14 days. After the young are hatched, they stay in the nest for 15-20 days, and are fed by both the male and female.

Conservation[]

Ebbird

The number of eastern bluebirds was declining for many years. Among other problems, European Starlings and House Sparrows are known to invade and destroy bluebird nesting areas, and are even known to kill the birds and their young. These birds are also known to built their nests over the dead bluebirds. As people become aware of this issue, more and more bird boxes are being made, which is helping the species to recover.

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