Eastern Bluebirds in New York
When bluebirds are present in New York, when they nest, which native New York plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–7b yard.
- Status in New York
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–August
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–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
- Range note
- Small numbers overwinter downstate.
When to expect bluebirds in New York
Eastern Bluebirds are summer residents in New York, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Small numbers overwinter downstate. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers, crickets and beetles; caterpillars and spiders.
Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.
Nesting in New York
Across New York, 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 with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.
- 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 New York plants that attract bluebirds
Of the regional native plants we track for New York, these 8 provide food or cover bluebirds use:
Early-summer berries.
Winter fruit.
Blue-black fall fruit and insect cover.
Seeds and year-round shelter.
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.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Feeding bluebirds through the New York 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 York'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 York year-round?
No. Eastern Bluebirds are summer breeders in New York and leave for the winter. Small numbers overwinter downstate.
When do bluebirds nest in New York?
Nesting in New York 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 New York?
Serviceberry, Winterberry, Arrowwood viburnum, Eastern white pine, Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Staghorn sumac are native plants in New York 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 York
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 York
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
- New York Breeding Bird Atlas III
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.