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Eastern Bluebird

Status Rare transient, very rare in summer. Formerly bred. When it was regular, it arrived during the second half of March and remained until the second half of October, with stragglers later. It was more frequent then near human habitation. During recent decades its numbers have markedly decreased in Nova Scotia and throughout its range in North America. This decrease is attributed to its inability to compete successfully with the more aggressive European Starling which covets and fights for the available nest sites needed by the gentler bluebird. The last nesting record was at Loch Broom, Pictou County, in 1957 (C. Graham), and since 1960 it has been unusual to have more than four or five reports each year. Among these, about 100 have been seen in spring, the earliest on 30 March and the latest (three birds) on Brier Island on 24 June 1962. Individuals between 18 and 20 July 1968 in Shelburne County and on 17 July 1975 at Yarmouth might have been resident in the region. Otherwise, only about 65 fall migrants have been recorded since 1960, between 3 August and 22 November. On 26 September 1981 Frank Hennessey came across 12 bright males in a field near Springhill, Cumberland County, but this is most unusual. On 26 December 1961, one was reported during the Christmas Bird Count at Paradise, Annapolis County.

Description Length: 16.5-19 cm. Adult male: Bright, rich blue above; breast and sides bright cinnamon-brown; belly white. Adult female: Similar but much paler.

Breeding Nest: In tree cavities or nest-boxes; composed of dry grass and occasionally supplemented with feathers. When nesting in a hollow tree, it uses the excavations of other hole-nesting species as well as natural cavities. Eggs: 3-6; usually pale blue (rarely, white) and unmarked. On 5 May 1937 near Barrington, Shelburne County, a pair took over a nest box after driving off House Sparrows and Tree Swallows that had been competing for it (M. Hopkins). A pair was seen examining a nest site, an excavation formerly used by flickers, near Wilmot, Annapolis County, on 20 May 1939. On 12 June 1928 at Yarmouth, a nest in a bird box contained five young that left that day. On 24 June 1921 a nest in the natural cavity of an apple tree at Margaretsville, Annapolis County, contained three blue eggs that were about one-half incubated. The small number of eggs and the late date suggest a second nesting.

Range Breeds from southwestern Saskatchewan across southern Canada to Nova Scotia (at least formerly), and south to the southern United States and Central America. Winters in the United States and southward.

Remarks A bluebird's favourite perch is an overhead wire along a highway. From such a vantage point in early summer, it drops to the ground after a grasshopper, cricket or other large insect, which it had detected with its keen vision at surprisingly long range. Later in the season the bird adds fruit to its diet.

Elsewhere in eastern North America, progress has been made in restoring populations of Eastern Bluebirds through the extensive provision of suitable nest boxes in rural areas. The same sort of program possibly would entice a few of our spring birds to remain and nest in Nova Scotia. However, we have always been at the edge of the bird's geographical range and probably cannot expect the species to become common here.