Bluebirds are some of North America’s most beloved songbirds. If you live in Illinois, you may be familiar with seeing bluebirds out in the countryside or perched up on a telephone wire. Fortunately, these birds can easily be spotted in rural areas all over the state, so even if you have never seen one, there’s still hope. For any Illinois resident that is interested in bluebirds, you’ve come to the right place. This is your ultimate resource for Bluebirds in Illinois!
Photo above by q.phia is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Contents
- What Species of Bluebirds Live in Illinois?
- Where to See Bluebirds in Illinois
- Similar Birds
- How to Attract Bluebirds
- Feeding Bluebirds
- What Nest Box Should I Use for Bluebirds in Illinois?
- Get Involved In Bluebird Conservation
- Illinois Bluebird Conservation Organizations
- How to Report Your Bluebird Fledglings in Illinois
- Illinois Bluebird FAQs
What Species of Bluebirds Live in Illinois?
There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but the Eastern Bluebird is the only species found in Illinois. Eastern Bluebirds find their home in Illinois and other states, primarily east of the Rocky Mountains. They are frequently seen in open areas, like fields and backyards, where they have plenty of space to hunt for insects.
Even though these birds once saw a population decline in the US, thanks to conservation efforts, Eastern Bluebirds are now common throughout the state.
Here are a few fast facts about Eastern Bluebirds.
Eastern Bluebird Fast Facts
| Latin Name | Sialia sialis |
| Habitat | Grasslands, open fields, countryside |
| Diet | Mostly insects – typically crickets, caterpillars, spiders, beetles |
| Nest Type | Secondary-cavity nesters – old woodpecker holes, dead trees, nest boxes |
| Nest Description | Dry grasses, animal hair, pine needles |
| Egg Description | 3-5 pale blue (or sometimes white) eggs |
| Conservation Status | Low Concern |
Photo by 611catbirds, too is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Where to See Bluebirds in Illinois
As a general rule, you can find bluebirds in Illinois in many open places out in the country. They typically live in places with scattered trees, fence rows, open fields, and where old woodpecker holes or nest boxes are available for nesting. You likely won’t find them in a densely populated cities like Chicago.
Common places to find bluebirds in Illinois:
- Open fields
- Backyards
- Golf courses
- Fence posts
- Telephone wires
- Cemeteries
Similar Birds to Bluebirds in Illinois
Blue Jays and Indigo Buntings are blue-colored birds that are often incorrectly called “bluebirds.” However, they are different species entirely. Blue Jays are much larger blue-colored birds found throughout much of the eastern and central United States. Indigo Buntings are smaller, but rarer, blue-colored birds that people also confuse with Eastern Bluebirds.
Species: Blue Jay
Photo by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northeast Region is marked with CC PDM 1.0
Species: Indigo Bunting
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Learn more about how to differentiate between Eastern Bluebirds and Indigo Buntings in this article that I wrote here.
Photo by ibm4381 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How to Attract Bluebirds in Illinois
The best way to attract bluebirds in Illinois is to put up a nest box in an open area. Since bluebirds are secondary-cavity nesters, they make use of old woodpecker holes, natural tree cavities, and nest boxes to build their nest. They cannot build nests in trees like robins, cardinals, or many other birds.
If you have a medium to large sized backyard in the country, consider putting up a bluebird nest box. If you set up a bluebird house in the middle of February, you could have a nesting pair of bluebirds by early spring!
Learn everything you need to know about attracting bluebirds in the article that I wrote here: How to Attract Bluebirds.
Feeding Bluebirds
If you have already spotted bluebirds in your area, you can also train them to come to a bird feeder. However, they won’t eat the same seeds that you might put out for other birds. At a bird feeder, bluebirds enjoy live mealworms, especially during the summer when insects make up the majority of their diet. During the winter, when insects become scarce, you can attract bluebirds to your feeder with sunflower seed hearts, berries, pieces of fruit, chopped peanuts, and peanut butter. For winter bluebird feeding tips, check out this article I wrote here.
What Nest Box Should I Use for Bluebirds in Illinois?
Photo by Dolan Trout is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The two best nest boxes that I recommend for Eastern Bluebirds are the following:
- A wooden nest box with a 1 1/2 inch round entrance hole (see my favorite one here)
- The Gilbertson-style PVC pipe nest box with a 1 1/2 inch round entrance hole (see my pick here)
Each of these styles of nest boxes work very well at attracting Eastern Bluebirds.
If you want to build your own nest box, take a look at the detailed nest box plans that I currently recommend on my website. Click here to see the list of nest box plans.
Get Involved With Bluebirds in Illinois
If you want to get involved with bluebird conservation in Illinois, the best thing you can do is to become an active bluebird landlord. What is a bluebird landlord? A bluebird landlord is someone who attracts and cares for bluebirds by providing a safe place for them to nest.
You can do a lot for bluebirds just by providing a safe place for them to nest in your backyard. I wrote an article called 10 Steps to Become a Bluebird Landlord. Read that article and get started attracting bluebirds to your backyard today!
If you want to get even more involved in bluebird conservation in Illinois, consider joining an official bluebird conservation organization.
Bluebird Conservation Organizations in Illinois
There are a couple of conservation organizations that work to improve the bluebird population -the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation and the Southern Illinois Audubon Society are just a few to mention. The best organization to join, however, would be the North American Bluebird Society (NABS).
NABS works to promote the recovery of bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds in North America (source). Learn more about how you can become a member of NABS on their website here.
How to Report Your Bluebird Fledglings
So, you attracted a pair of bluebirds, they had babies, and those babies grew up and flew away. Congrats! You’ve done an amazing job. Don’t forget to report the number of baby bluebirds that “fledged,” or left the nest. This helps researchers keep track of how well the bluebirds population is doing.
The best way to officially report your total number of bluebird fledglings in Illinois is to make a report online at Nestwatch.org, a service provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Click here to learn more on the Nest Watch website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bluebirds Stay in Illinois During the Winter?
Bluebirds generally stay in Illinois all winter long. Eastern Bluebirds that live farther north might fly to southern states for the winter. However, it’s common for bluebirds to stay in Illinois year-round, especially in southern Illinois, thanks to relatively mild temperatures and food availability.
Conclusion
Eastern Bluebirds are one of America’s most beloved birds. With their strikingly blue color, their gentle song, and their preference for the quiet countryside, bluebirds often evoke a sense of peace and nostalgia for Illinois residents.
If you are interested in attracting Eastern Bluebirds to your own backyard, learn how you can do that by reading my article called How to Attract Bluebirds.
Which species of bluebird lives in your state? Click here to find out what species of bluebirds to look for in all fifty US states.