Western bluebirds are a small, insect-eating songbird found in the western United States. Their diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, with some small fruits and berries as well. Common food sources for western bluebirds include grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, and spiders. They use their slender beaks to pluck insects from trees, shrubs, and the ground. During the fall and winter months, they rely more heavily on fruits from trees like junipers, sumacs, and dogwoods. Understanding what western bluebirds like to eat can help people provide food sources to attract these colorful songbirds to their yards.
Insects and spiders
Insects and spiders make up the majority of a western bluebird’s diet, especially during the spring and summer months when they are feeding nestlings. Some of the most common insects that western bluebirds prey upon include:
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
- Ants
- Wasps
Western bluebirds use a perch-and-sally method to hunt for insects. They will perch on a high vantage point like a tree branch, post, or wire and look for prey movement below. When they spot an insect, they will swoop down quickly to grab it with their beak before returning to their perch. Their insect diet provides plenty of protein for growth and reproduction.
Spiders are also an important part of a western bluebird’s insect consumption. They prey upon a variety of spiders like orb weavers, crab spiders, jumping spiders, and wolf spiders. Bluebirds help control spider populations, including some spiders which can be harmful to humans.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars form a substantial part of a western bluebird’s diet in the spring and summer. Bluebirds eat many types of caterpillars including species from the following families:
- Swallowtail caterpillars
- Skipper caterpillars
- Whites and sulphurs caterpillars
- Nymphalid caterpillars
They consume many hairy and smooth caterpillars that other birds avoid. This helps keep caterpillar populations in check, preventing too much damage to plants and crops.
Beetles
Beetles make up a significant portion of western bluebird prey. They eat a wide variety of beetles from the following families:
- Scarab beetles
- Ground beetles
- Ladybugs
- Weevils
- Leaf beetles
- Longhorn beetles
Western bluebirds help control beetle populations, including some species which can be agricultural and garden pests.
Fruits and berries
Though western bluebirds eat predominantly insects and spiders during the spring and summer, they switch over to eating more fruits and berries in the fall and winter. Some of the fruits and berries they commonly consume include:
- Juniper berries
- Sumac fruits
- Dogwood fruits
- Berries from mistletoe
- Hackberries
- Hawthorn fruits
- Grapes
- Currants
- Elderberries
The fruits provide some needed carbohydrates, nutrients, and energy to help bluebirds survive the colder months when insects are not as readily available.
Juniper
Junipers are evergreen trees that produce berry-like cones consumed by western bluebirds as a major food source in the fall and winter. Juniper berries provide carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for the birds. Western bluebirds eat several juniper species including:
- Alligator juniper
- Utah juniper
- Rocky Mountain juniper
- One-seed juniper
Juniper berries augment their diet of insects and help sustain bluebirds through harsh winter conditions.
Sumac
The reddish berry-like drupes of sumac shrubs and trees provide another important winter food source for western bluebirds. They eat fruits from these sumac species:
- Staghorn sumac
- Smooth sumac
- Skunkbrush sumac
Sumac fruits contain antioxidants like anthocyanins, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Their slightly acidic taste appeals to bluebirds in wintertime.
Feeding behaviors and habits
To fully understand what western bluebirds like to eat, it helps to examine their feeding behaviors and habits:
- Bluebirds eat frequently throughout the day, requiring high food intake to maintain energy.
- They forage in open areas with sparse vegetation that allows them to easily spot prey movement.
- They typically perch on an elevated vantage point like a tree branch or fence post while hunting for food.
- They will sometimes catch insects like beetles and ants on the ground.
- They swoop down quickly from a perch to grab prey with their beak.
- Parents build up food reserves before breeding season to be ready to feed nestlings.
- Baby bluebirds require regurgitated insect matter to grow and develop properly.
- In cold months, bluebirds form large flocks that forage together for food.
Understanding how bluebirds feed can inform efforts to attract them by providing optimal food sources and foraging conditions.
Ideal backyard habitat for western bluebirds
To attract western bluebirds to your backyard, provide habitat features they prefer along with food sources they like to eat:
- Open grassy areas with sparse shrubs and scattered trees for foraging.
- Bare ground and low vegetation so they can spot insects.
- Elevated perches for hunting like fence posts, trees, or wires.
- Nest boxes for breeding placed 6-8 feet high on pole or tree.
- Berry-producing native plants like juniper, sumac, dogwood, and hawthorn.
- Brush piles to provide cover and insect habitat.
- Birdbath for drinking and bathing.
Ensuring good habitat and food access will tempt western bluebirds to take up residence and help sustain them year-round.
Common foods to attract western bluebirds
Here are some of the best food options for attracting hungry western bluebirds to your yard:
| Food | Details |
|---|---|
| Mealworms | High in protein; can be served dried, fresh, or frozen |
| Chopped nuts | High fat content provides energy; avoid large pieces that could choke birds |
| Suet cakes or suet bits | High-fat bird food great in cold weather |
| Live insects | Release crickets or other insects into your yard to hunt |
| Fruit pieces | Chopped fruits like grapes, apple, berries; easier for small birds to eat |
Providing a variety of tasty, energy-rich foods will satisfy western bluebird appetites. Monitor feeders to see which foods they favor.
Conclusion
In summary, western bluebirds are insect-eating songbirds that thrive best on a diet rich in insects, spiders, and fruit. Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and juniper berries provide ideal nutrition. Backyard bird enthusiasts can attract these beautiful songbirds by mimicking their natural habitat and providing enticing feeder foods. A healthy western bluebird population indicates a robust local ecosystem with plenty of food resources to sustain these hungry, active birds throughout the year. With a basic understanding of their dietary preferences, anyone can make their yard or garden more bluebird-friendly.
