Information on Blue Birds

Male blue birds have vibrant blue upper bodies, a red or orange throat and a white belly, according to the University of Maryland. Female blue birds display the same colors, but are paler. Baby blue birds start out with a brown back and a white chest. Male baby blue birds may exhibit some spots of blue. Baby blue birds will not develop full coloring until a year after hatching.

  1. Habitat

    • Blue birds are mainly found in the eastern United States, according to the University of Maryland. Blue birds prefer to live in open grassy areas and meadows with low ground cover. Trees and poles provide blue birds with a place to perch. Orchards, parks and parklands provide blue birds with easy access to insects and other foods.

      Blue birds are cavity dwellers, according to Fairfax County Public Schools. This means they nest in tree cavities, old woodpecker holes and bird boxes.

    Diet

    • Blue birds have a diet that consists of crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and moth larvae, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. During the winter insects are not abundant and blue birds will consume wild fruits and berries to supplement their diet. Other items that blue birds consume include spiders, earthworms, snails, centipedes, flowering dogwood, black cherries, wild grape, Japanese honeysuckle, caterpillars, isopods, blackberries, common elderberry, pokeweed and smooth sumac, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

    Nesting

    • Blue birds build their nest with either fine grasses or pine needles, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nests of blue birds range in size from one to four inches high. Blue birds normally lay between 4 and 6 eggs in a nest.

      Blue birds typically mate early in spring, lay their eggs and then incubate their eggs for 12 days. Incubation involves mothers sitting on eggs to keep them warm. After hatching, baby birds will stay in their nest for two to three weeks and are fed by their parents.

    Size

    • Blue birds grow up to seven inches in length, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

    Considerations

    • Blue birds are not appearing as commonly as they use to, according to Fairfax County Public Schools. Scientists believe that the cause may be increased numbers of house sparrows or starlings taking up nesting spots that blue birds could potentially use.

    Fun Fact

    • The eastern blue bird is the state bird of New York, according to the New York State Library