About The Eastern Bluebird

The eastern bluebird has its own distinct beauty having a bright blue upper body, orange-red throat, chest and sides and white belly. It is a migratory bird that belongs to the thrush family. Its close relatives are the western bluebird and mountain bluebird. In tracing its history, the eastern bluebird actually went through many struggles. But thanks to active wildlife management efforts, the future of this songbird is now considered secure.

The bluebird was among the wildlife species that benefited from the destruction of the eastern forests in the United States during the time of the frontier settlement. Being a lover of open spaces, the conversion of forests into orchards, pastures and home sites led to the increase of habitats ideal for bluebirds. The open areas proved beneficial to the nesting and feeding activities of the birds. Unknown to farmers, their installation of wooden fence posts even added to the birds’ nesting sites. These factors eventually led to the increase in the bluebird population in the eastern part of the U.S. until the mid-1800s.

By the later part of the 19th century, the bluebirds were again threatened when
the European starling and the English house sparrow were introduced. By the
20th century, the eastern bluebirds’ population went down as a result of pesticide
use. It’s a good thing that the bluebirds have accepted artificial nesting structures which have helped boost their populations. Eastern bluebirds can live in bird houses or nest boxes provided by concerned bird lovers and situated in an appropriate area.