Eastern bluebirds are a familiar sight in many North American backyards, their vibrant orange breasts and sky-blue wings a vivid contrast against green grass and leafy trees. Understanding what these beloved birds eat is essential for anyone hoping to attract them, support their seasonal needs, and observe their natural behavior up close.
Primary Food Sources for Eastern Bluebirds
Eastern bluebirds are primarily insectivorous, relying on a diet of insects and other invertebrates for the majority of their nutrition. During the spring and summer months, when protein is critical for raising young, they consume a wide variety of prey. Their foraging technique involves perching on low branches or fence posts and then dropping to the ground to snatch insects from grass, soil, or low vegetation.
Common Insects and Invertebrates
The menu for an eastern bluebird is diverse, focusing on the most abundant and energy-rich invertebrates available in its habitat. These birds are particularly valuable as natural pest controllers, consuming insects that are often considered nuisances.
Grasshoppers and crickets
Beetles, including weevils and June bugs
Caterpillars and other moth larvae
Ants, spiders, and small snails
Millipedes and sowbugs
Seasonal Dietary Shifts
As the seasons change, so does the availability of insects, prompting eastern bluebirds to adjust their feeding habits. In late summer and fall, when insect populations decline, these birds increasingly turn to plant-based food sources to build fat reserves for cooler weather and migration.
Fruits and Berries
During the colder months, eastern bluebirds become more frugivorous, consuming a variety of wild fruits and berries that persist through fall and winter. This dietary shift helps them survive when insects are scarce and also aids in seed dispersal for native plants.
Winterberries and holly berries
Pyracantha and cotoneaster berries
Sumac and wild grape
Dogwood and cedar berries
Supplemental Feeding for Backyard Bluebirds Homeowners and bird enthusiasts can support eastern bluebirds by providing supplemental food, especially during harsh winters or nesting season. Offering the right foods in appropriate feeders can increase the likelihood of attracting a pair to your property. Best Foods to Offer When choosing food for bluebirds, it is important to prioritize options that align with their natural diet and digestive capabilities. Mealworms are the most popular and effective supplement, providing a high-protein treat that adults and nestlings readily accept. Food Type Best For Notes Live Mealworms Nesting pairs and juveniles High protein; use in moderation Dried Mealworms Year-round feeding Soak in water for softer option Fresh or Frozen Blueberries Winter nutrition Easy to eat; high in antioxidants Apple Slices Occasional treat Remove seeds; cut into small pieces Habitat and Foraging Behavior
Homeowners and bird enthusiasts can support eastern bluebirds by providing supplemental food, especially during harsh winters or nesting season. Offering the right foods in appropriate feeders can increase the likelihood of attracting a pair to your property.
Best Foods to Offer
When choosing food for bluebirds, it is important to prioritize options that align with their natural diet and digestive capabilities. Mealworms are the most popular and effective supplement, providing a high-protein treat that adults and nestlings readily accept.
Live Mealworms Nesting pairs and juveniles High protein; use in moderation
Live Mealworms
Nesting pairs and juveniles
High protein; use in moderation
Dried Mealworms Year-round feeding Soak in water for softer option
Dried Mealworms
Year-round feeding
Soak in water for softer option
Fresh or Frozen Blueberries Winter nutrition Easy to eat; high in antioxidants
Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
Winter nutrition
Easy to eat; high in antioxidants
Apple Slices Occasional treat Remove seeds; cut into small pieces
Apple Slices
Occasional treat
Remove seeds; cut into small pieces
