Eastern Bluebirds in Minnesota
When bluebirds are present in Minnesota, when they nest, which native Minnesota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Minnesota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- 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 Minnesota
Eastern Bluebirds are summer residents in Minnesota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers, crickets and beetles; caterpillars and spiders.
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in Minnesota
Across Minnesota, bluebirds typically nest from May–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.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — 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 Minnesota plants that attract bluebirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Minnesota, these 8 provide food or cover bluebirds use:
White fruit and red-stemmed winter cover.
Early-summer fruit.
Acorns and bark insects.
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.
Feeding bluebirds through the Minnesota 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 Minnesota'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 Minnesota year-round?
No. Eastern Bluebirds are summer breeders in Minnesota and leave for the winter.
When do bluebirds nest in Minnesota?
Nesting in Minnesota typically runs May–August, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 2–7 eggs, incubated for 11–19 days.
What native plants attract bluebirds in Minnesota?
Red-osier dogwood, Serviceberry, Bur oak, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac are native plants in Minnesota 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 Minnesota
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 — Minnesota
- 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.