Welcome those bright pops of blue into your garden with these tips for attracting bluebirds.
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Key Takeaways
Bluebirds are among the most recognizable backyardbird speciesthroughout the United States.
Not only are they visually stunning, but they also eat insects and other pests in the garden.
Credit:Larry Keller/Getty Images
Mary Farrholds a B.S.
in Biology from Georgia College and State University with a concentration in ornithology.
These beautiful birds happen to be permanent residents of the South, so they are present for all seasons.
A pair of bluebirds feeding on a backyard suet holder.Credit:mountinez/Getty Images
Though they’re known for their blue plumage, Eastern bluebirds' colors come in all different shades.
Female bluebirds have duller blue hues while male bluebirds have bright blue hues to attract a mate.
Mealworms are the larvae of darkling beetles and are relished by bluebirds all year.
Credit:Chase D’animulls/Getty Images
They are available to purchase live or freeze-dried from your local bird or garden supply store.
Use a tray or dish-style feeder to provide mealworms to your bluebirds.
Bluebirds gravitate toward suet cakes, and there are even some with mealworms mixed in.
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Purchasing a suet feeder is a great option to keep the suet cake contained.
The berries in their diet include wild grapes, dogwood berries,blackberries, honeysuckle berries, and raspberries.
“To attract them to your garden, keep any feeders close to the ground,” says Farr.
Any windows within view of a feeder can lead to bird strikes, especially when there’s a reflection.
Use decals or film to break up reflections and reduce the likelihood of injury.
Avoid Pesticides
Because much of bluebirds' diet is insects, avoidingpesticidesis necessary to keep them healthy.
