Bluebirds are residents of every US state except for Hawaii. Since there are three different species of bluebirds (Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds), you might be wondering which species lives in your state. That’s what you’ll find in this article.
Table of Contents
- Table: Species of Bluebirds in The 50 US States
- Overview of The Three Bluebird Species
- FAQs: Bluebirds in Certain States
- FAQs: States with Multiple Bluebird Species
- Conclusion
Table: Species of Bluebirds in the 50 US States
So, to get started, I created a handy table for you that shows all 50 US states and the species of bluebirds that live in each state. As much as possible, the species are listed from most common to least common in terms of population size.
This table takes into account the species of bluebirds which are most commonly present in each state during a typical year. It shows you the bluebirds you can expect to see if you are trying to attract bluebirds – not the anomalies. Mountain Bluebirds, for example, are very migratory, and they have, on occasions, been found as far east as Wisconsin. However, this is not typical behavior for Mountain Bluebirds, and it is fairly rare to see them in eastern states. So, for the purposes of this table, they won’t be included in states where they make rare or infrequent appearances.
Scroll down through the table below to find your state and to see which species of bluebirds live near you.
Species of Bluebirds in The 50 US States
| State | Species of Bluebirds |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Eastern Bluebird |
| Alaska | Mountain Bluebird |
| Arizona | Western Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Eastern Bluebirds |
| Arkansas | Eastern Bluebird |
| California | Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| Colorado | Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| Connecticut | Eastern Bluebird |
| Delaware | Eastern Bluebird |
| Florida | Eastern Bluebird |
| Georgia | Eastern Bluebird |
| Hawaii | – |
| Idaho | Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| Illinois | Eastern Bluebird |
| Indiana | Eastern Bluebird |
| Iowa | Eastern Bluebird |
| Kansas | Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird |
| Kentucky | Eastern Bluebird |
| Louisiana | Eastern Bluebird |
| Maine | Eastern Bluebird |
| Maryland | Eastern Bluebird |
| Massachusetts | Eastern Bluebird |
| Michigan | Eastern Bluebird |
| Minnesota | Eastern Bluebird |
| Mississippi | Eastern Bluebird |
| Missouri | Eastern Bluebird |
| Montana | Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, Eastern Bluebird |
| Nebraska | Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| Nevada | Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| New Hampshire | Eastern Bluebird |
| New Jersey | Eastern Bluebird |
| New Mexico | Western Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Eastern Bluebirds |
| New York | Eastern Bluebirds |
| North Carolina | Eastern Bluebirds |
| North Dakota | Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, Eastern Bluebird |
| Ohio | Eastern Bluebird |
| Oklahoma | Eastern Bluebird |
| Oregon | Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| Pennsylvania | Eastern Bluebird |
| Rhode Island | Eastern Bluebird |
| South Carolina | Eastern Bluebird |
| South Dakota | Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebirds |
| Tennessee | Eastern Bluebirds |
| Texas | Eastern Bluebird, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| Utah | Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird |
| Vermont | Eastern Bluebird |
| Virginia | Eastern Bluebird |
| Washington | Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird |
| West Virginia | Eastern Bluebird |
| Wisconsin | Eastern Bluebird |
| Wyoming | Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, Eastern Bluebird |
Overview: Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds
Now that you know which species (or multiple species) of bluebirds live in your state, here’s a quick overview of the three different species. If you’re new to bluebird watching, hopefully this will help you identify bluebirds in your back yard when you spot them.
For a more in-depth comparison of the three bluebird species (that shows males, females, and juvenile birds), check out the article that I wrote here: Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds [Species Comparison]
Eastern Bluebirds
Photo by oakridgelabnews is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Eastern Bluebirds are the most common species of bluebird in North America. According to the American Bird Conservatory, their total population is around 20 million and they are increasing in numbers (source). Eastern Bluebird males have a bright blue back and shoulders, a rusty orange throat and chest, and a white belly. The females generally look the same as the males, but are duller gray in color. Learn more about identifying Eastern Bluebirds in my article here.
One of the best ways to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard is by putting up a nest box (bird house) specifically designed for bluebirds. Click here to see the nest boxes that I use.
Western Bluebirds
Photo by Gregory ‘Slobirdr’ Smith is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Western Bluebirds are the second most common species of bluebird in North America with a total breeding population of about 6.7 million birds (source). The typical range for Western Bluebirds is west of the Rocky Mountains, making them common in states like New Mexico, Oregon, California, and Idaho. Male Western Bluebirds can be identified by their bright blue back, head, and throat. A rusty orange color covers their chest and the top of their shoulders. The blue throat and red shoulders are what set them apart visually from Eastern Bluebirds.
Putting up a bluebird nest box is also the best way to attract Western Bluebirds. See my recommended nest boxes here.
Mountain Bluebirds
Photo by Photomatt28 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Mountain Bluebirds are the least common species of bluebird in North America with a population of around 6 million birds (source). The male Mountain Bluebird is bright blue on its head, back, and chest, with a white spot on its belly. The blue-all-over appearance is what distinguishes Mountain Bluebirds from the other two species of bluebirds. Click here to learn more about identifying Mountain Bluebirds.
No matter what species of bluebirds lives in your state, if you’re ready to start attracting bluebirds to your backyard, check out my article here called How to Attract Bluebirds.
Now, some people have questions about the specific species of bluebirds that live in their state. I’m going to take a few minutes to cover some of the frequently asked questions about certain states.
FAQs: Bluebirds in Certain States
What bluebirds are in Alabama?
Eastern Bluebirds are the only species of bluebirds that live in Alabama. Because some bluebirds migrate south into Alabama for the winter, the Eastern Bluebird population actually increases during the winter. Eastern Bluebirds are frequently seen in open areas, like fields and backyards, where they have plenty of space to hunt for insects. Setting up a bluebird nest box is one of the best ways to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard.
What bluebirds are in Ohio?
There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but the Eastern Bluebird is the only species found in Ohio. Eastern Bluebirds find their home in Ohio and in 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. Setting up a bluebird nest box is one of the best ways to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard.
What bluebirds are in Alaska?
As a general rule, Mountain Bluebirds are the only species of bluebirds that visits Alaska. During the summer nesting season, Mountain Bluebirds usually spend their time in central and eastern Alaska. Mountain Bluebirds thrive at higher elevations than Eastern and Western Bluebirds and they frequently nest near open forests that have been thinned out by logging.
What bluebirds are in Oregon?
As a general rule, Western Bluebirds are the only bluebird species that is found in Oregon. Western Bluebirds can be seen throughout most of Oregon, except for the north coast, the Cascade Mountains, and in the southeastern part of the state (source). Western Bluebirds thrive in open areas, scattered with trees, where they can perch and drop down on insects, which are their main source of food. As secondary cavity nesters, Western Bluebirds rely on old woodpecker holes, natural tree cavities, and artificial nest boxes to build their nests.
What Bluebirds are in Tennessee?
There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but the Eastern Bluebird is the only species found in Tennessee. Eastern Bluebirds find their home in Tennessee and in 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. Setting up a bluebird nest box is one of the best ways to attract Eastern Bluebirds to your yard.
FAQs: States with Multiple Species of Bluebirds
What bluebirds are in Arizona?
All three species of bluebirds (Eastern, Mountain, and Western Bluebirds) can be found in Arizona. Western Bluebirds are year-round residents in the northern part of Arizona; Mountain Bluebirds typically stay at higher elevations in the northern part of the state; and the Azure Bluebird, a sub-species of the Eastern Bluebird, is only found in a limited range in the southeastern part of Arizona, near the Patagonia and Huachuca Mountains.
What bluebirds are in California?
There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but only Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds can be found in California. Western Bluebirds are the most common bluebird species in California and they can be found in many northern and central parts of the state throughout the year. Mountain Bluebirds typically reside at higher elevations and prefer to nest near open areas that have been affected by wildfires or thinned out by logging.
What bluebirds are in Colorado?
As a general rule, Western Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds are the only species of bluebirds found in Colorado. It is rare for Eastern Bluebirds to make it as far west as the Centennial State. Mountain Bluebirds typically nest at higher elevations, especially on the edge of woodlands or in areas that have been thinned out by wildfires or logging. Western Bluebirds, on the other hand, prefer lower elevations, and can be easily found in fields, meadows, and backyards.
What bluebirds are in Texas?
All three species of bluebirds (Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds) can be found in Texas. Eastern Bluebirds winter throughout most of Texas (except for the Trans-Pecos) and they can be found nesting throughout the state, especially in open, grassy, areas. Western Bluebirds winter in the Trans-Pecos and find their breeding ground in the Guadalupe Mountains. Western Bluebirds also nest throughout the state in open, grassy areas. Mountain Bluebirds typically nest at higher elevations in Texas and they spend the winter in the western two-thirds of the state (source).
What Bluebirds are in Oklahoma?
There are three species of bluebirds that live in the United States, but only Eastern Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds can be found in Oklahoma. Eastern Bluebirds can be found throughout Oklahoma in open areas like fields and backyards where they have plenty of space to hunt for insects. Mountain Bluebirds generally live at higher elevations and love to nest in open meadows, prairies, and near forests that have been thinned by logging.
Conclusion
If you live in any of the 50 US states besides Hawaii, there’s a good chance you can attract bluebirds to your yard. Sorry, Hawaii – you’ll have to stick with the Fairy Bluebird – which isn’t actually a bluebird, but looks pretty cool too!
Get started attracting bluebirds to your own backyard by reading my article called How to Attract Bluebirds which will tell you everything you need to know. Then check out my Recommended Tools page to see the bluebird nest boxes, feeders, and other tools that I recommend.
