These are frequent questions about the Eastern Bluebird, a bird very sought after in backyard habitats. The Eastern Bluebird is found throughout the eastern United States where populations are increasing. (There is a Western Bluebird, which looks different from the Eastern Bluebird and is found, as the name suggests, in western United States.)
What makes bluebirds so desirable is their color. The blue on the head and back of the male is deep, vibrant and strong. The breast is a contrasting rust color. Females have a little duller blue and rust.
Typical habitat for bluebirds is open land with some trees and low vegetation, such as conservation lands, farmlands or orchards. Backyards with trees and bushes spaced around the yard is not the type of environment that the bluebird seeks.
Bluebirds are secondary cavity nesters which means they must use a cavity already available (thanks to hardworking woodpeckers). They also rely on bird houses put up by an avid birdwatcher. The nesting box opening should be 1.5" in diameter, which prevents larger starlings from moving in. Unfortunately, these boxes may also be favored by English Sparrows or Tree Swallows.
During spring, summer and fall, bluebirds primarily eat insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, ground beetles and catepillars. Mealworms purchased locally can be fed so the birds stay in your yard. The Bird House carries containers of 500 during most of the year.
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