Bluebirds are some of North America’s most beloved songbirds. If you live in Iowa, 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 Iowa resident that is interested in bluebirds, you’ve come to the right place. This is your ultimate resource for Bluebirds in Iowa!
Contents
- What Species of Bluebirds Live in Iowa?
- Where to See Bluebirds in Iowa
- Similar Birds
- How to Attract Bluebirds
- Feeding Bluebirds
- What Nest Box Should I Use for Bluebirds in Iowa?
- Get Involved In Bluebird Conservation
- Iowa Bluebird Conservation Organizations
- How to Report Your Bluebird Fledglings in Iowa
- Iowa Bluebird FAQs
What Species of Bluebirds Live in Iowa?
There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but the Eastern Bluebird is the only species found in Iowa. Eastern Bluebirds find their home in Iowa 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 Hawkeye 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 Iowa
As a general rule, you can find bluebirds in Iowa 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 city.
Common places to find bluebirds in Iowa:
- Open fields
- Backyards
- Golf courses
- Fence posts
- Telephone wires
- Cemeteries
Similar Birds to Bluebirds in Iowa
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 Iowa
The best way to attract bluebirds in Iowa 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 Iowa?
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 Iowa
If you want to get involved with bluebird conservation in Iowa, 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 Iowa, consider joining an official conservation organization.
Bluebird Conservation Organizations in Iowa
There are a few non-profit organizations in Iowa dedicated to bluebird conservation. The Iowa Bluebird Conservationists (IBC) is one such group. If you live in Iowa and want to get more involved in your local community of birders, check out the Iowa Bluebird Conservationists Facebook group here to learn more.
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 Iowa 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 Iowa During the Winter?
Most bluebirds generally leave Iowa during the winter months. They usually fly to souther states with milder temperatures and better food availability. But, according to the Iowa DNR, about a third of the Eastern Bluebirds in Iowa actually remain in Iowa during the winter (source).
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 Iowa 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.