Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
Mealworms are the most reliable way to bring bluebirds to a feeder. Offer them on a low tray in a quiet spot, and keep the tray clean.
- Food to offer
- Mealworms
- Fruit
- Feeder that suits it
- Low tray or platform
- Size
- Medium
- When to expect it
- Year-round in the south; northern birds move
- Region
- East and centre
Photos of Eastern Bluebird
4 imagesFeeding Eastern Bluebird at a glance
For someone putting out food for the first time.
What to put out
- Mealworms
- Fruit
- Berries
Best feeder and placement
Low tray or platform.
How it behaves at the feeder
Mealworms are the reliable draw. Often perches on wires or fences and drops to the tray.
How to recognise it
Male bright blue above with a rusty-orange throat and breast; female paler and greyer.
Often confused with
Western Bluebird — Western male has a blue throat; Eastern male has an orange throat. Range separates them.
One thing to watch
Keep the mealworm tray clean. Spoiled mealworms are worse than none.
Mealworms are the key
FeederWatch calls mealworms one of the only food items that reliably attract bluebirds. Offer them on a low tray or a dedicated mealworm feeder, in a quiet spot.
Fruit is also taken, especially in cold weather. Suet is less reliable for bluebirds than for woodpeckers.
Boxes, not just food
Bluebirds are cavity nesters, and their populations declined heavily in the twentieth century as nesting cavities disappeared and competitors moved in.
Nest boxes, placed and monitored properly, are the standard conservation action. Feeding helps, but boxes are what actually add nesting pairs.
Common questions
What is the best food for bluebirds?
Mealworms, live or dried, on a low tray. Fruit is a useful cold-weather backup.
Do they use nest boxes?
Yes. Boxes are the main conservation tool for the species, though they need correct placement and monitoring.
How do I tell it from a Western Bluebird?
The male Eastern has an orange throat; the male Western's throat is blue. Range also separates them.