The State Bird of New York

By Terri Estes

I have always thought that New York’s state bird was the feisty blue jay. I was wrong! The eastern bluebird has been our state’s bird since 1970 and can be seen in all parts of New York State. As a matter of fact, they range from southern Canada, all the way to Nicaragua. That being said, I have been trying to spot this elusive little bird for over a year with no luck.

The eastern bluebird is a medium sized songbird with a characteristically plump body and a large round head. The male is a brilliant royal blue on the back and head with a burnt orange chest. The female has a lighter blue back and head with a more subdued orange-brown chest. They can be found in our area in the spring and summer and even during mild winters when they can find a steady food supply. Their diet consists of insects and wild fruits and berries. They have also been known to eat tree frogs and other small lizards. They like open fields with nearby woods where they can perch up high in trees and swoop down on small prey.

Eastern bluebirds are not common visitors to backyard bird feeders. If mealworms and sweet berries are provided, you may get lucky, or so I am told. I have tried with no success. Some people have also been successful attracting breeding pairs to their yards by putting up deep nesting boxes. Bluebirds like to make their nests in hollow cavities in trees, so these bluebird nesting boxes have a lot of success.

I will keep my search up for our beautiful state bird, and if and when I spot one, you will be the first to know. In the meantime, keep your eyes to the sky for me and let me know if you spot one!