Eastern Bluebirds in Nova Scotia

Eastern Bluebirds are summer residents in Nova Scotia, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Scarce and local breeder. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers, crickets and beetles; caterpillars and spiders.

Maritime — cool summers, snowy but ocean-moderated winters, fog and wind along the coast.

Across Nova Scotia, bluebirds typically nest from May–July. 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.

Cool summers delay nesting compared with inland regions at similar latitude.

• 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 July.

Of the regional native plants we track for Nova Scotia, these 8 provide food or cover bluebirds use:

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 Nova Scotia's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for bluebirds · Best feeder for bluebirds