Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Nearly vanished from nest-box loss, then came roaring back. A small blue resurrection delivering mail.

Population: ~23 million mature individuals (2019 estimate), increasing (~2%/year, ~11% increase over the past decade per BirdLife DataZone/Partners in Flight)
Habitat: Open woodlands, farmlands, orchards, pastures, agricultural fields, and suburban parks/backyards/golf courses with sparse ground cover and scattered perches; strongly favors nest-box-friendly open country
Fun fact: The Eastern Bluebird is the state bird of both Missouri and New York and is featured on Bermuda's two-dollar bill.
Range: Eastern and central North America, east of the Rockies from southern Canada south through the eastern/central U.S. and Gulf states; also southeastern Arizona through Mexico and Central America to Nicaragua, plus Bermuda; range has expanded westward across the Great Plains over the past century
Diet: Roughly two-thirds insects and invertebrates (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, beetles, caterpillars, spiders, earthworms), roughly one-third wild fruits and berries in fall/winter (sumac, holly, dogwood, honeysuckle, juniper)
Size: 0.185 m
Wingspan: 0.285 m
Lifespan: 10 years

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