Bluebirds are some of North America’s most beloved songbirds. In Canada and the USA, you can see these birds “carrying the sky on their backs” in the form of bright blue plumage. Fortunately for New Brunswick residents, one species of bluebird can be spotted in parts of the province, so even if you have never seen one, there’s still hope. For anyone who lives in New Brunswick that is interested in bluebirds, you’ve come to the right place. This is your ultimate resource for Bluebirds in New Brunswick.
Contents
- What Species of Bluebirds Live in New Brunswick?
- Where to See Bluebirds in New Brunswick
- Similar Birds
- How to Attract Bluebirds
- Feeding Bluebirds
- What Nest Box Should I Use for Bluebirds in New Brunswick?
- Get Involved In Bluebird Conservation
- Canadian Bluebird Conservation Organizations
- How to Report Your Bluebird Fledglings in New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Bluebird FAQs
What Species of Bluebirds Live in New Brunswick?
Of the three species of bluebirds that live in the North America, the Eastern Bluebird is the only species found in New Brunswick, Canada. While Eastern Bluebirds find their home all throughout North America, east of the Rocky Mountains, in New Brunswick, they are mostly spotted in rural parts of the Eastern Lowlands.
Even though these birds once saw a population decline in the North America, thanks to conservation efforts, Eastern Bluebirds are now common throughout the province of New Brunswick.
Here are a few fast facts about Eastern Bluebirds that you might find interesting.
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 New Brunswick, Canada
You can find bluebirds in New Brunswick in rural and agricultural areas in the Eastern Lowlands (source). 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 densly populated city.
Common places to find bluebirds in New Brunswick:
- Open fields
- Backyards
- Bogs
- Fens
- Fence posts
- Telephone wires
- Cemeteries
Similar Birds to Bluebirds in New Brunswick
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 New Brunswick.
Species: Blue Jay
Photo by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northeast Region is marked with CC PDM 1.0
Indigo Buntings are smaller, but rarer, blue-colored birds that people also confuse with Eastern Bluebirds. These birds are less common, but still found in some western parts of NB.
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 here.
Photo by ibm4381 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
How to Attract Bluebirds in New Brunswick
The best way to attract bluebirds in New Brunswick is to put up a nest box in an open area. Since bluebirds are secondary-cavity nesters, they use old woodpecker holes, natural tree cavities, and nest boxes to build their nests. They cannot build nests in trees like robins and 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 New Brunswick?
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.
Alternatively, for a homemade nest box option, the website NatureNB.org provides helpful tips for building your own wooden nest box.
Get Involved With Bluebirds Conservation in New Brunswick
If you want to get involved with bluebird conservation in New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, consider joining an official conservation organization.
Bluebird Conservation Organizations in New Brunswick
The province of New Brunswick doesn’t have any organizations that are specifically dedicated to bluebird conservation. However, the North American Bluebird Society is a very active bluebird conservation organization that has a presence in Canada. If you’re interested in becoming a member of an international group that is dedicated to bluebird conservation, check out the NABS 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. Congratulations! You’ve done an amazing job. Don’t forget to report the number of baby bluebirds that “fledged,” or left your nest box. This will help researchers keep track of how well the bluebird population is doing.
The best way to officially report your bluebird fledglings in New Brunswick, is to report them using the Nest Watch app, which is provided by NestWatch.org, a service of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Click here to learn how to report your bluebird fledglings on the Nest Watch app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bluebirds stay in New Brunswick in the winter?
As a general rule, bluebirds leave New Brunswick during the winter season. Eastern Bluebirds that live in the northern half of North America typically migrate to the southeaster United States for the winter.
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 New Brunswick 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.