eastern bluebird

bird species

Also known as: Sialia sialis

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

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The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a North American bird species belonging to the chat-thrush family. It is approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) long and is characterized by its red breast. This species is found east of the Rocky Mountains. Eastern bluebirds prefer open country and woodland clearings, nesting in tree cavities or fence posts, and readily use bird boxes. They are known to arrive from the south in early spring, vocalizing with soft, indistinct notes. The eastern bluebird is also the state bird of New York.123

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conservation
Calculating background extinction rates
…sister taxa including western and eastern bluebirds (Sialia mexicana and S. sialis), red-shafted and yellow-shafted flickers (both considered subspecies of Colaptes auratus), and ruby-throated and black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris and A. alexandri). According to the rapid-speciation interpretation, a single mechanism seemed to have
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…sister taxa including western and eastern bluebirds (Sialia mexicana and S. sialis), red-shafted and yellow-shafted flickers (both considered subspecies of Colaptes auratus), and ruby-throated and black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris and A. alexandri). According to the rapid-speciation interpretation, a single mechanism seemed to have
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