Eastern Bluebird vs Western Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

How to recognise an eastern bluebird?

General appearance

The eastern bluebird is a small bird around 17cm long, roughly the size of a Robin or a Sparrow. Its most distinctive features are its bright blue back and wings and its reddish-brown throat and chest. The bird's belly is white with the overall wing shape being rounded. Its tail is either notched or ends with a square tip.

Male vs female

Both male and female eastern bluebirds share the same general features, though the female is generally paler and duller than the male. Delicate variations in hues are a key way to differentiate between the sexes.

Juvenile

Juvenile eastern bluebirds can be identified by their spotted appearance, which is significantly heavier than that of adults. They also have tell-tale traces of blue above, indicative of the bright blue coloration they will develop as adults.

Size

6.3 - 8.3 in/1.0 - 1.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The eastern bluebird thrives in open, semi-open habitats like farmlands, open pine woods, and clearings in forests. It tends to breed in scattered trees within such environs.

Additional range

They can locally adapt to suburban settings with extensive lawns and suitable nesting sites. In winter, eastern bluebirds have been known to wander to other unspecified habitats.

Range Map

What do eastern bluebirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The eastern bluebird predominantly feeds on a variety of insects and berries. It consumes insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, earthworms, and snails. Occasionally, it may also eat small lizards or tree frogs. During winter, berries become an essential part of its diet.

Bird feeders

While not primarily dependent on bird feeders, eastern bluebirds can be attracted with mealworms and berries. Providing suet or chopped fruits can also make feeders appealing to them.

What does an eastern bluebird sound like?

The Eastern Bluebird's vocalizations are typically musical, featuring a liquid blend of 'turee' or 'queedle' sounds. Its song is a soft, melodious warble. The call patterns can be falling, flat, or undulating, alternating between chirps or chips and whistles. This symphony of sounds helps to identify the Eastern Bluebird distinctly.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

How to recognise a western bluebird?

General appearance

The Western Bluebird measures 6-7 inches or 15-18 cm in size, roughly the same as a Sparrow or a Robin. The bird exhibits a color palette of blue, gray, and orange. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail shape has a notched, square tip. Another specific feature is the thicker bill of the Lazuli Bunting.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, males are a deep purplish-blue on their upper parts and throat, with reddish-brown on their chest and sometimes at the center of their back. Their belly is a distinguishing gray color, different from the blue throat of the Eastern Bluebird. In contrast, female Western Bluebirds are much less colorful. They are duller and grayer than males, possessing a solid gray throat.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Bluebirds have a notably different appearance from adult bluebirds. Most notably, young birds are dotted or spotted, reflecting their immature development. As they grow, they will gain the adult coloration of their respective genders.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western bluebird primarily inhabits scattered tree areas, open conifer forests, and farms. It breeds in semi-open locations such as pine and oak woods, streamside groves, and ranch country, but avoids hot, dry regions.

Additional range

In winter, it is found in semi-open terrains, brush, deserts, and pinyon-juniper woods. It also occupies varied open or semi-open habitats like farmland.

Range Map

What do western bluebirds like to eat?

Natural diet

The diet of the western bluebird primarily consists of insects and berries. During the summer months, insects are predominant in their diet, including grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, ants, and various other insects. In the winter, the bluebird's diet shifts to include a significant amount of berries and small fruits. Some of the berries they consume are the fruits of mistletoe, juniper, and elderberry.

Bird feeders

Western bluebirds are not frequent visitors to bird feeders. However, they might occasionally be seen at feeders offering mealworms, which mimic their natural diet of insects. They may also be attracted to feeders with fruit offerings, like diced apples or berries, aligning with their fondness for small fruits and berries.

What does a western bluebird sound like?

The vocalizations of the western bluebird are diverse with soft calls resembling 'phew' and 'chuck' sounds. Its song typically emits as a subdued 'cheer, cheer-lee, churr'. The bird’s calls exhibit a falling or flat pattern and are typically perceived as a chirp, chip, or whistle. These distinct sounds represent the unique communication language of the western bluebird.

Song

Audio by Ryan Winkleman

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

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Eastern Bluebird

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Western Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

General appearance

The eastern bluebird is a small bird around 17cm long, roughly the size of a Robin or a Sparrow. Its most distinctive features are its bright blue back and wings and its reddish-brown throat and chest. The bird's belly is white with the overall wing shape being rounded. Its tail is either notched or ends with a square tip.

Male vs female

Both male and female eastern bluebirds share the same general features, though the female is generally paler and duller than the male. Delicate variations in hues are a key way to differentiate between the sexes.

Juvenile

Juvenile eastern bluebirds can be identified by their spotted appearance, which is significantly heavier than that of adults. They also have tell-tale traces of blue above, indicative of the bright blue coloration they will develop as adults.

Size

6.3 - 8.3 in/1.0 - 1.1 oz

There's more to learn about Eastern Bluebird

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Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

General appearance

The Western Bluebird measures 6-7 inches or 15-18 cm in size, roughly the same as a Sparrow or a Robin. The bird exhibits a color palette of blue, gray, and orange. Its wing shape is rounded and its tail shape has a notched, square tip. Another specific feature is the thicker bill of the Lazuli Bunting.

Male vs female

In terms of coloration, males are a deep purplish-blue on their upper parts and throat, with reddish-brown on their chest and sometimes at the center of their back. Their belly is a distinguishing gray color, different from the blue throat of the Eastern Bluebird. In contrast, female Western Bluebirds are much less colorful. They are duller and grayer than males, possessing a solid gray throat.

Juvenile

Juvenile Western Bluebirds have a notably different appearance from adult bluebirds. Most notably, young birds are dotted or spotted, reflecting their immature development. As they grow, they will gain the adult coloration of their respective genders.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.8 - 1.1 oz

There's more to learn about Western Bluebird

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How to tell the Eastern Bluebird from the Western Bluebird

Visual differences

Eastern Bluebirds are typically 6.3-8.3 inches long, with bright blue backs, wings, and reddish-brown throats and chests. Their bellies are white, and their wing shape is rounded with either a notched or square-tipped tail. Western Bluebirds are slightly smaller at 6-7 inches. Males have a deep purplish-blue upper body, reddish-brown chest, and gray belly, unlike the Eastern's blue throat. Females of both species are duller, with Western females showing a gray throat. The Western's thicker bill distinguishes it further from the Eastern. Juveniles of each species have spotted plumage but develop these distinct adult colors.

Key differences and behavior

Eastern and Western Bluebirds exhibit notable behavioral and habitat differences. Eastern Bluebirds inhabit open farmlands and suburban areas, while Western Bluebirds prefer open conifer forests and avoid dry regions. Both species engage in courtship feeding and fluttering displays. However, Western males establish territories alone first. Both nest in cavities, with nests typically low, but Eastern Bluebirds adapt readily to suburban settings. In diet, Eastern Bluebirds focus on insects and berries, including occasional small reptiles, while Western Bluebirds consume a diet rich in insects and mistletoe and elderberries. Neither bird frequently uses feeders, but they are attracted to mealworms and berries, with Eastern Bluebirds also enjoying suet. These differences aid in distinction apart from physical characteristics.