Songs
Eastern Bluebirds sing a fairly low-pitched, warbling song made up of several phrases, each consisting of 1-3 short notes. Harsher chattering notes may be interspersed with the whistles. The whole song lasts about 2 seconds. Typically, unpaired males sing this song from a high perch or sometimes in flight, as they try to attract a mate. Females sometimes sing this song when they see predators on their territory. Paired males sometimes sing a much softer version of this song while females are laying eggs.
Calls
The Eastern Bluebird’s most common call is a soft, low-pitched tu-a-wee with a querulous tone. The call lasts a little less than a second, with males’ calls typically slightly longer than females’. Bluebirds give this song in all seasons as a way of keeping in touch with each other or to signal nestlings that adults are bringing food. When bluebirds get too close to each other, they let each other know with a single, harsh screech. Females make a very soft, low chip when a courting male approaches. Birds nervous at the approach of a ground predator make a loud, continual chit-chit-chit.
Backyard Tips
Eastern Bluebirds don’t often visit feeders, but they are a great prospect for nest boxes if you have the space to put one up in your yard, and if your yard isn’t too hemmed in by trees or houses.
Find This Bird
You can find Eastern Bluebirds in open country with patchy vegetation and large trees or nest boxes. Meadows, old fields, and golf courses are good places. Bluebirds typically sit in the open on power lines or along fences, with an alert, vertical posture. When they drop to the ground after an insect, they make a show of it, with fluttering wings and a fairly slow approach, followed by a quick return to the perch.
Get Involved
Set up a nest box for bluebirds and report nesting activity to NestWatch
View and sort images of nesting bluebirds online with CamClickr to help scientists archive data from our NestCams
Report your Eastern Bluebird sightings to eBird