If you love the sights and sounds of spring, then you may want to learn some tips on how to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard. These beautiful birds do not show up in large numbers in early spring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t attract them. Once you get a little better at the art of attracting birds, you’ll find yourself drawn to watching them for hours on end!
Table of Contents
Identification
The Eastern Bluebird is the most spectacular birds in America. It has brilliant blue upper parts with a rusty color on the throat and on the breast, with a white lower belly.
- Length: 6.3-8.3 in (16-21 cm)
- Weight: 1.0-1.1 oz (28-32 g)
- Wingspan: 9.8-12.6 in (25-32 cm)
Range
Eastern Bluebird populations used to be found throughout eastern and central North America as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. Today they can only be found in the eastern United States, with small populations extending into southeastern Canada.
Habitat
The eastern bluebird habitat can be found in deciduous forests, gardens, orchards and hedgerows. They also prefer open spaces with shrubs or dense thickets of vegetation, which provide good cover for nesting sites.
Food
In the wild, the Eastern Bluebirds eat mostly insects, fruits, and berries that they find on the ground or in trees. Insects such as ants, moths, caterpillars, spiders, beetles, grasshoppers and crickets makes up most of their diet, but they will also consume berries such as mulberries, blueberries, blackberries and huckleberries if available.
Attracting Bluebirds with Feeders
A great way to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard is to install bird feeders. A popular feeder that is used by many people are the hanging bird feeder. This type of bird feeder can be easily placed on a tree branch.
These are usually made out of plastic or metal, with a small platform on the bottom, for perching. I would recommend this Metal Bird Feeder. I found it on Amazon.
You will also need to place the bird feeders on high trees. Because Eastern Bluebirds enjoys the sun’s rays, you will want to put the feeders in a location that gets some direct sunlight, but not too much. This will help them thrive.
Foods that will entice Eastern Bluebirds to bird feeders:
- Mealworms (Live or Dried)
- Berries (raspberries or blackberries)
- Suet (peanut butter, dough, fruit, and sunflower bits)
- Fruit (apples, pears, raisins, currants, blueberries and cranberries)
- Eggshells (broken up into small pieces)
- Peanut Butter
- Sunflower Chips
Attracting with Birdbaths
You will need to ensure that your bird feeder is placed near a source of water. It is a good idea to pick up a birdbath to place near your bird feeder. They love running water and can add a great amount of comfort and attraction to your yard as well as they look to bathe. Get the lowest price for the Alpine Bird Bath on Amazon.
Purchase a Nest Box
Another way that you can attract them to your yard, is to create a habitat for them. You can this by putting up a small structure like a birdhouse.
Make sure that the house is big enough for them to make nests in. Once you have a nest, it is just a matter of making sure that it remains dry and safe for the little birds to call their own.
These birds are very vulnerable to the elements, and you want to make sure that they are in a good place to raise their young. Make sure that they have a great nest box where they can rest, sleep, and nest.
Plant Tree and Bushes
Another great way to attract them is to plant trees, bushes, or shrubs near a backyard pond, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of precipitation. They prefer red cedar, Virginia creeper, hawthorn, honeysuckle, sumac seeds, blackberries, bayberries, dogwood and wild grape.
Birds in wet environments tend to congregate, so if you have trees and bushes surrounding a pond, they’re going to be drawn to it and will look for shelter. And, of course, they’re going to love to build their own nest in the trees.
Make Your Yard Bluebird Friendly
When attracting eastern bluebirds to your yard, it is important to provide the perfect conditions for them to thrive in your yard. If your property is large, you should also make sure that you have plenty of tree space as well.
If you don’t have this, then it is very likely that you are going to get very little activity out of your birds. Providing a comfortable environment for these birds is a great way to attract them to your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What month do Bluebirds build nests?
Bluebirds are most active in April, May and June, with mating season being in March or early April. Nest building starts during the first week of spring, sometimes as early as February, depending on where you live.
Do bluebirds mate for life?
Bluebirds are monogamous birds. This means that they will mate with only one partner for the duration of their lives. In some cases, they also find new mates if their original mate dies or leaves them.
Can you put a bluebird house on a tree?
In general, yes you can. The location of the birdhouse should be well away from any electrical wires or lines and preferably close to water sources such as ponds, streams, or birdbaths. The distance from the ground will depend on the type of tree, but it is usually around 6-8 feet high off the ground with the entrance facing south in order to maximize sunlight exposure for nesting birds during winter months.
Do bluebirds come back to the same nest every year?
Some bluebird experts say that they have observed nests being used for up to five years in a row, while others claim that they only use them for one season before abandoning them and building another nest elsewhere.
What direction should a bluebird house face?
A bluebird house is a small, well-lit structure designed to attract and provide shelter for the birds. It can be mounted on a pole or hung from a tree branch, but it should face south or southeast in order to capture morning sunlight.
