Eastern Bluebirds in New Brunswick
When bluebirds are present in New Brunswick, when they nest, which native New Brunswick plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 3a–5b yard.
- Status in New Brunswick
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–August
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 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 New Brunswick
Eastern Bluebirds are summer residents in New Brunswick, 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.
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Nesting in New Brunswick
Across New Brunswick, 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.
Mild summers.
- 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 New Brunswick plants that attract bluebirds
Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover bluebirds use:
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.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Feeding bluebirds through the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick'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 New Brunswick year-round?
No. Eastern Bluebirds are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.
When do bluebirds nest in New Brunswick?
Nesting in New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick?
Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, Virginia creeper are native plants in New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick
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 — New Brunswick
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.