Bluebird Box Project

A Continent of Bluebirds

There are three species of Bluebird throughout North and Central America. The North American bluebirds are a unique and somewhat enigmatic group of thrushes: their bright blue colors and cavity-nesting behavior set them apart from most other thrushes.  In Tennessee we enjoy and support the conservation of the Eastern Bluebird, first described by Linnaeus in 1758. Its range is east of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to Mexico. 

The Mountain Bluebird was first identified by Bechstein in 1798, and appears in western North America, east-central Alaska, southwestern Manitoba and the Dakotas, southern California, northern Arizona, and southern New Mexico.

The Western Bluebird’s range is similar to that of the Mountain Bluebird with the inclusion of the west coast of North America.

This link diagrams in detail the differences and similarities between the three species of Bluebirds.

Behaviors of the Eastern Bluebird

This small bird can be found perching on a fencepost overlooking an open field, in search of an insect on the ground or fluttering in the air. They have great eyesight, able to see their prey from 60 feet away. The brightly colored male will attract a mate by carrying nesting material in and out of the cavity and often remain bonded with the same mate for several seasons. To learn more about what makes watching Bluebirds enjoyable, click here.

Lore of the Eastern Bluebird

Because the Eastern Bluebird male has showy colors and is strikingly beautiful, it is the subject of song, poems, art, film and advertising. It is the state bird for Missouri and New York.

To learn about the history and lore of the Eastern Bluebird visit this link.