Southeastern US
Genus species
Sealia sialis
The Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, is a blue songbird that sings a melodic warble. This beautiful member of the thrush family lives in the eastern half of the USA and in southern Canada, ranging from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains. Its numbers have been decreasing greatly in the last few decades. The Eastern Bluebird has a life span of about 6 years. This songbird is the state bird of Missouri and New York.
Anatomy: The Eastern Bluebird is about 5.5 to 7 inches (14-18 cm) long and has a wingspread of 11 to 13 inches (28-33 cm). The bill is thin. Males have bright blue feathers above, an orange-red throat and breast, and a white belly. Females are camouflaged; they have dull blue wings and tail, a gray head and back, a brown breast, a white eye ring, and a white belly.
Diet: The Eastern Bluebird mostly eats insects (especially grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and beetles), worms, snails, and spiders; it also eats fruit.
Nest and Eggs: Eastern Bluebird nests are cup-like and are made from dried grass, pine needles, and plant stems. Nests are built in holes in trees and rotted tree stumps. Females lay 3-6 pale blue eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time). The female incubates the eggs for 12-14 days. Both parents care for the hatchlings for 15-20 days, when the young leave the nest.