Wildlife Viewing - Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight : Eastern Bluebird

photo of a bluebird with a dragonfly in its beak

Bluebirds are small, beautifully colored thrushes. They’re often seen perched in a hunched position on wires or fences in fields and open woodlands throughout central and north Florida.

The adult male bluebird has a vibrant blue back, head and tail, chestnut colored throat and breast, and white belly. Females are duller and grayer and young birds are heavily spotted. During the summer, bluebirds feed mainly on insects and earthworms. During the non-breeding season, they form small flocks. When the weather is very cold, a group of bluebirds will occasionally roost together in a nest cavity for warmth. Their winter diet is heavily dependent on many kinds of wild berries.

Bluebirds are cavity nesters and they must compete for these choice spots with native birds such as chickadees, tufted titmice, nuthatches and Carolina wrens, and non-native birds such as house sparrows and European starlings. The supply of natural nesting cavities for all these birds has diminished over the years because of habitat loss, the removal of dead trees and limbs, and a shift from the use of wooden fence posts to metal posts. Fortunately, bluebirds readily nest in artificial nest boxes and widespread efforts to provide these boxes have helped reverse dramatic population declines. Since bluebirds need open habitat, fire suppression is also a reason for their decline.

The North American Bluebird Society (NABS) provides information on nest designs for bluebird boxes, the maintenance of the boxes and details about setting up a “bluebird trail.”

Where you can find Eastern bluebirds

Wildlife Viewing : Species Spotlight : Eastern Bluebird

Species Spotlight : Eastern Bluebird