In summer, the Eastern Bluebird breeds across eastern North America from southeastern Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, southward to central Texas and Florida. Also southeastern Arizona through central Mexico to northern Nicaragua. The winters are spent in southern part of breeding range, from Kansas to Connecticut and south. Also to southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. In mild winters, they may be found farther north.

The eastern bluebird prefers open woodlands, clearings, farmlands, parks, orchards, gardens, fields, along roadsides on utility wires and fences.

The natural nesting place of Eastern Bluebirds is in tree cavities. Competition for nest sites from introduced European Starlings and House Sparrows, particularly where suitable holes are scarce, has worsened the situation. Setting up a “bluebird trail” is a great way to attract attract the Eastern Bluebird and make them an everyday part of your surroundings. Here is information on creating a bluebird trail.

As frontier in the US was settled, the bluebird benefited from the clearing of forests. Converting forests into pastures, orchards and homesites, this created the perfect bluebird habitat. The situation changed in the late nineteenth century as the European starling and the English house sparrow were introduced into the US. In the twentieth century, increased use of pesticides, the clearing of field borders for increased cropland and a growing human population contributed to population reductions for the bluebird.

As bluebird populations declined, societies were formed to help protect the bluebird. Thousands and thousands of artificial nesting boxes have been built and erected all over the US, which has helped rejuvenate the population. Bluebird nest boxes are relatively simple to build, or can be purchased at many online and local stores.

Western Bluebird

The western bluebird, is dependent upon savanna and grassland habitats that require periodic fire for maintenance. Preferred habitat is open grassland, farm or range land with sufficient tree and shrub cover for nesting and perching. Western bluebirds also occupy oak woodland, pine parkland, and cleared areas within forest stands and transition zone forests. Like all secondary cavity nesting birds, bluebird populations are limited by the availability of suitable nesting sites. Holes in trees, frequently dead snags excavated by woodpeckers, are preferred natural nesting sites. Nest cavity heights vary from 2 – 5m above ground level. The nest cavity provides both adults and young with cover during the breeding season. Bluebirds will readily use nest boxes in areas devoid of natural cavities but where other habitat components are present.

The Western bluebird range is western North America from southern British Columbia south to central Mexico, east to western Montana and west Texas, but absent from Great Basin. Winters at lower elevations in much of breeding range. Also winters outside breeding range in central California and along the lower Colorado River.

Mountain Bluebird

Breeds from central Alaska eastward to Manitoba and southward to California and Texas. Winters from Oregon and Colorado southward to central Mexico.

Mountain Bluebirds occur in varied, open terrain, more open than the habitat of Western Bluebirds. They are found in alpine parklands, and also at lower elevations in steep areas, open woodlands with Ponderosa pine, forests openings, clearings, and logged areas where a few snags have been left.