SpeciesFacts

All species › Birds › Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

Bird · family Turdidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Eastern Bluebird
Photo: Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
43 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
10 years[4]

The Eastern Bluebird is a small songbird in the thrush family[5]. It is ranked Secure worldwide by NatureServe and is not listed under the Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Eastern Bluebird G5, which means Secure across its whole range[2]. In the United States it is ranked Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected

Where Eastern Bluebird lives

NatureServe lists the Eastern Bluebird as native in 43 US states and territories, including Texas, Florida, New York, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona[3]. State ranks vary. Alabama, Ohio and Virginia are ranked Secure in the state[9]. Colorado and Wyoming have lower ranks, so the bird is less secure there[9]. These lists show where NatureServe records the bird, not where you are sure to see it[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S4BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S4BWIVermont: native, state rank S5BVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S4BNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: native, state rank S4BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5BNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S3B,S4NMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: native, state rank S2WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S4BSDIowa: native, state rank S4B,S5NIAIndiana: native, state rank S4BINOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S3BRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: native, state rank S2BCONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank SNRMOKentucky: native, state rank S5B,S5NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5B,S5NWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5B,S4NMDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S1B,S5NNMKansas: native, state rank S5KSArkansas: native, state rank S4ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S4NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S5B,S5NMSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5BTXFlorida: native, state rank S4FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[9].
Show state ranks (43 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS4Apparently Secure
ColoradoS2BImperiled (breeding)
ConnecticutS5Secure
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
FloridaS4Apparently Secure
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
IowaS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS5Secure
KentuckyS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS5Secure
MaineS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
MarylandS5B,S4NSecure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MissouriSNRNot Ranked
MontanaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS1B,S5NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5BSecure (breeding)
North CarolinaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
PennsylvaniaS5BSecure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS3BVulnerable (breeding)
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5BSecure (breeding)
VermontS5BSecure (breeding)
VirginiaS5Secure
West VirginiaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
WyomingS2Imperiled

Habitat

NatureServe records hardwood, conifer and mixed woodland, savanna, old fields and riparian areas, which are the green zones along waterways, as habitat[10]. The bird likes forest edges, open woodland and open spots with scattered trees[11]. It nests in natural holes, old woodpecker holes and bird boxes[11]. Nests are placed about 1 to 6 meters (3 to 20 feet) up[11].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[10]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Eastern Bluebird eats mainly insects, along with other small invertebrates and small fruits[12]. One estimate puts its diet at 70% invertebrates and 30% fruit[13]. It often drops from a low perch to the ground to feed[12]. Adults are about 18 cm (7 in) long[14]. They weigh about 32 g[15]. A clutch is usually 4 to 5[16]. Females in most areas raise 2 broods a year[16]. Incubation lasts 12 to 16 days, and young leave the nest at 15 to 20 days[16]. The oldest known wild bird was at least 10 years 6 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[14] 18 cm (7 in)
Typical adult weight[15] 32 g (1.1 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[17] 10.5 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 10 years 6 months
Litter or clutch size[18] 4
Gestation or incubation[19] 14 days
Female maturity[20] 306 days (about 0.8 years)
Food habits[21] Invertivore, Frugivore
Migration[22] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[13]

  • 70% invertebrates
  • 30% fruit

When to look for it

The Eastern Bluebird is active during the day[23]. Some birds move and some stay put, so migration differs from place to place[22]. Birds that breed in the northern US and Canada move south for winter[24]. Northward birds reach the north mostly in March and April[24]. Southward travel is mainly September to November[24]. Online observation records are highest in March, April and May[25]. Those records show when people look and report, not how many birds there are[25].

January: 562,795 recordsJanFebruary: 692,712 recordsFebMarch: 777,496 recordsMarApril: 1,007,075 recordsAprMay: 1,107,652 recordsMayJune: 621,617 recordsJunJuly: 474,193 recordsJulAugust: 386,183 recordsAugSeptember: 454,267 recordsSepOctober: 619,358 recordsOctNovember: 521,558 recordsNovDecember: 510,899 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[25].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January562,795
February692,712
March777,496
April1,007,075
May1,107,652
June621,617
July474,193
August386,183
September454,267
October619,358
November521,558
December510,899

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Eastern Bluebird as present in 138 park units[26]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 114 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas[27]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Eastern Bluebird endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Where does the Eastern Bluebird live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 43 US states and territories, from Texas and Florida to New York and Minnesota[3]. It lives in open woodland, forest edges and old fields[10][11].
What does the Eastern Bluebird eat?
It eats mainly insects, plus other invertebrates and small fruits[12]. One estimate gives 70% invertebrates and 30% fruit[13].
How big is an Eastern Bluebird?
NatureServe records a typical length of 18 cm (7 in)[14]. The typical weight is 32 g[15].
How long does an Eastern Bluebird live?
The oldest known wild bird was at least 10 years 6 months old, based on banding records[4]. This is a record, not a typical lifespan[17].

Facts and sources

  1. Eastern Bluebird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Eastern Bluebird: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Eastern Bluebird as native in 43 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Eastern Bluebird from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 10 years 6 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a bird in the family Turdidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Eastern Bluebird is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe state ranks for Eastern Bluebird (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  10. Habitat types NatureServe records for Eastern Bluebird: Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Savanna, Old field, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on habitat for Eastern Bluebird. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Eastern Bluebird. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% invertebrates, 30% fruit. EltonTraits 1.0
  14. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 18 cm (7 in). NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 32 g (1.1 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Eastern Bluebird. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 10.5 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 14 days. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 306 days (about 0.8 years). AnAge
  21. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  22. NatureServe migration category for Eastern Bluebird: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  23. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe notes on migration for Eastern Bluebird. NatureServe Explorer
  25. GBIF observation records of Eastern Bluebird in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  26. NPSpecies park lists recording Eastern Bluebird as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  27. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Eastern Bluebird: Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.