Bluebird like bird. SE Pennsylvania (1 Viewer)

[MLoyko]

Hi all,

Just a question, is there any other bird that looks like an eastern bluebird that would be hanging around PA during the winter? It was all alone on a telephone wire, and looked to me like an eastern blue bird. Blue on top, then rufous/rusty color on the chest a little and then white and I instantly said look there is a blue bird. We were driving so I only got the colors but the size looked right too I guess.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[ceasar]

Don't know about lookalikes. Bluebirds stay here stay here year round though. I saw a pair in a nearby cemetery about 6 weeks ago. It was a cold day.
Bob

 

[MLoyko]

Don't know about lookalikes. Bluebirds stay here stay here year round though. I saw a pair in a nearby cemetery about 6 weeks ago. It was a cold day.
Bob

Thanks Bob,

I wasn't sure if they stayed around all winter or not. That being said, do they change their diet to seeds and/or berries during the winter because aren't they insectivores?

 

[steveo]

Thanks Bob,

I wasn't sure if they stayed around all winter or not. That being said, do they change their diet to seeds and/or berries during the winter because aren't they insectivores?

From this article http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sialia_sialis.html
Eastern bluebirds eat a variety of foods depending on the season. In summer months, eastern bluebirds consume mostly beetles (order Coleoptera), crickets, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other insects. A United States Biological Survey study of 855 eastern bluebirds found that the bluebird diet was 68% insects. During the fall and winter seasons, when insects are less common, eastern bluebirds eat fruits and plants, including blackberries, honeysuckle, dogwood, red cedar, and wild grapes.

Eastern bluebirds drink water from ponds, streams and birdbaths. They appear to prefer running water versus standing water. (North American Bluebird Society, 1999; USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 1999)

Primary Diet:
carnivore (insectivore ).

Animal Foods:
insects.

Plant Foods:
seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit.

Predation

 

[MLoyko]

Thanks for that steveo.

 

[JohnJos]

Matt,
I saw a 8+ EBBs at Valley Forge just last week while driving along one of the inner drives. I also caught the White-winged Crossbills at Valley Forge Cemetery that day.
John

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Matt,

I was out doing a raptor survey in northern Lehigh this afternoon. We had lots of bluebirds.

Jeff

 

[MLoyko]

Matt,
I saw a 8+ EBBs at Valley Forge just last week while driving along one of the inner drives. I also caught the White-winged Crossbills at Valley Forge Cemetery that day.
John

I really need to get out more, sticking around here isn't gettin me anywhere

Matt,

I was out doing a raptor survey in northern Lehigh this afternoon. We had lots of bluebirds.

Jeff

Cool how'd that go? I got to watch a sharpie kill and eat a starling at my feeders today. I was also up at leaser again the other day but only saw some mallards and a RTH.

 

[shishmarefbirder]

I got to watch a sharpie kill and eat a starling at my feeders today.

Like to see those sharpies eat a few more!

 

[Daddylion]

Hi all,

Just a question, is there any other bird that looks like an eastern bluebird that would be hanging around PA during the winter? It was all alone on a telephone wire, and looked to me like an eastern blue bird. Blue on top, then rufous/rusty color on the chest a little and then white and I instantly said look there is a blue bird. We were driving so I only got the colors but the size looked right too I guess.

Thanks,
Matt

I'd agree with bluebird, as no other eastern bird looks like it. On the matter of it being here in winter, I saw some at Christmas, too.

 

[AsterixnObelix]

Sounds very much like you are describing an Eastern Bluebird. I picked my first and second sightings of the year over the past two weeks, while on my way to an IBM research center in Teatown NY. Lovely bird...I am going to try and get a photo the next time I go out there.