Bluebird Trail: Bluebirds and Nest Boxes

Eastern Bluebird

Identification

• Males are bright blue with a red-orange throat and white underparts.
• Females are duller with similar patterns.
• Juveniles are speckled and appear more gray with blue in the wings and tail.

Range

East of the Rocky Mountains

Habitat

Open areas with scattered trees, including suburban parks, backyards, farms and roadsides

Nest

Constructed of grass and pine needles inside a natural cavity or a wooden nest box

Diet

Primarily insects but also fruit in the winter

Nest boxes

Nest boxes are supplemental habitat used by bluebirds and other birds who nest in holes or
cavities.

Natural cavities can be found inside dead trees. There is a lot of competition for these cavities and not enough for all the nesting birds!

Humans can improve backyard habitat by providing nest boxes, and by allowing dead trees to remain in areas where they will not be a danger to people or structures.