Eastern Bluebirds in Massachusetts
When bluebirds are present in Massachusetts, when they nest, which native Massachusetts plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5a–7b yard.
- Status in Massachusetts
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–August
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- Nest box
- 1 1/2 in round (1 9/16 in for Mountain/Western overlap) hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 4–6 ft on a baffled pole
When to expect bluebirds in Massachusetts
Eastern Bluebirds are summer residents in Massachusetts, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers, crickets and beetles; caterpillars and spiders.
Humid continental with maritime influence on Cape Cod and the islands.
Nesting in Massachusetts
Across Massachusetts, bluebirds typically nest from April–August. Nest site: secondary cavity nester — old woodpecker holes and nest boxes in open habitat. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 11–19 days, and young leave the nest after 15–20 days.
Warm summers; nesting peaks late May to July.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — bluebirds begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/2 in round (1 9/16 in for Mountain/Western overlap) entrance on a 5 × 5 in floor, mounted 4–6 ft on a baffled pole.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after August.
Native Massachusetts plants that attract bluebirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Massachusetts, these 8 provide food or cover bluebirds use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Feeding bluebirds through the Massachusetts year
Bluebirds hunt from perches over short grass. Put mealworm feeders in the open, near a low perch, and offer small amounts at the same time each day.
- Best foods: Live or dried mealworms, Suet nuggets / insect-suet dough, Chopped native fruit.
- Avoid: Loose seed mixes — bluebirds rarely eat seed.
- In Massachusetts's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for bluebirds · Best feeder for bluebirds
Frequently asked
Are bluebirds in Massachusetts year-round?
No. Eastern Bluebirds are summer breeders in Massachusetts and leave for the winter.
When do bluebirds nest in Massachusetts?
Nesting in Massachusetts typically runs April–August, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 11–19 days.
What native plants attract bluebirds in Massachusetts?
Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak, Black cherry are native plants in Massachusetts that provide food or cover for bluebirds.
What size birdhouse hole do bluebirds need?
1 1/2 in round (1 9/16 in for Mountain/Western overlap), with a floor of 5 × 5 in mounted 4–6 ft on a baffled pole.
Eastern Bluebirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Massachusetts
Sources
- Eastern Bluebird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Bluebird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Bluebird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Massachusetts
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.