Bluebirds in Maryland
A simple guide to the magnificent Maryland bluebirds
Maryland bluebirds? They're truly magnificent.
I've been watching them around Baltimore for about four years. It started when I saw something bright blue in a park and wondered, "What is it?" Intrigued, I got a pair of binoculars, and... I became obsessed with them.
This guide covers the types of bluebirds you'll see here, how to spot them, where to find them, and the basics. I've kept the information simple because that's how I learned it. If you're interested in birds in other places, check out Bird Species in Maine or Beautiful Bluebirds Across the United States. There's also a comprehensive guide to bird feeders if you need help with equipment.
Are there bluebirds in Maryland?
Yes, of course.
Eastern bluebirds live here year-round. They are birds that people are excited to see.
They exist, but not everywhere. You need to know where to look. That's the crux of the matter.
Eastern Blue Jay - Main Bird
When someone says "bluebird" in Maryland, they mean the eastern bluebird. That's all there is to it.
What are bluebirds in Maryland?
Actually, there are many species. But the bluebirds of Maryland are mostly eastern bluebirds. Then there are blue jays, Nile warblers, blue nightingales, and a few others.
We will cover them all, but we will start with the bluebirds.
How it looks
The males are distinguished by their bright royal blue back and head, rusty orange chest, and white belly. When the sun shines on them, they become absolutely magnificent.
The females are softer – bluish-gray with a pale orange tinge. They are still beautiful but less vibrant. The young are brown and speckled.
They are about 6-7 inches long. Smaller than robins, and larger than sparrows.
Where do bluebirds live in Maryland?
Open areas. Not forests.
Golf courses, lawns, agricultural fields, orchards, and suburban yards. They need short grass to trap insects, as well as trees or posts to stand on.
I see them in the Patapsco Valley, the Lake Raven area, and the farmlands of Carroll County. Also on the East Coast. Anywhere with an open environment.
I love fence posts. Walk along country roads and look for posts—you'll find them there. According to bluebird research , they nest in tree cavities and need nesting holes or boxes.
When can I see bluebirds in Maryland?
Throughout the year. They don't leave in winter.
The best time? From spring to summer. From March to August, when the birds are nesting and singing. This is the most active period.
In winter, the birds become quieter and form small flocks. But they remain. I see them at bird feeders throughout the winter.
What do bluebirds eat in Maryland?
Spring/Summer - mostly insects. Grasshoppers, cockroaches, beetles. They hunt from high places. They sit, watch, swoop down, catch the insect, then fly back.
In winter – berries. Dogwood, hawthorn, sumac, and any other available plants. The absence of insects means they will move to another stage.
They will eat mealworms if you give them some, especially live ones. I keep some in my refrigerator for the winter.
Nutritional advice: Avoid bread. Rely on mealworms or natural food only.
Other types of bluebirds you will see
Not all birds are "blue," but they are blue birds throughout Maryland.
Blue jay
The most common type of bluebird here. Everywhere.
A huge bird with a crest. Bright blue, white, and black markings. That sharp "jay-jay-jay" sound - you'll know it even if you're not aware of it.
Resident birds year-round. Intelligent, noisy, and eats everything. They will easily dominate other birds at their feeding areas.
Indigo Bunting
A summer visitor. The males are entirely dark blue, resembling an electric blue paint.
They appear in May and leave by August. They are found in wooded areas and on the edges of forests. The males sing from the tops of bushes.
The females are normally brown. They are about the size of a sparrow. They are easy to miss.
The Patuxent Research Shelter is a great place to find them.
blue crow
Less common. Only in summer. Males are dark blue with rusty stripes on the wings. Larger and plumper than warblers.
Thick beak for seeds. Prefers open areas with dense undergrowth. Southern Maryland and the East Coast are best locations.
What types of bluebirds can be seen in Maryland?
Just eastern bluebirds.
There are three species of bluebirds in North America: the eastern bluebird (United States), the western bluebird (Pacific coast), and the mountain bluebird (Rocky Mountains).
Maryland is located only in the eastern part of the state; the rest of the country is in the far west, so you'll need to travel to see it. Look for mountain bluebirds in Colorado.
Western bluebirds have not been seen in Maryland . They are not found here at all.
Easy identification: Have you seen a bluebird in Maryland? It's an eastern bluebird. That's all.
How do I attract bluebirds to my garden?
This is entirely possible with the right setup. I now see their nests reproducing annually.
nesting box
These boxes are ideal for blue tits to nest in . Natural cavities are rare, and the boxes solve this problem.
Use a box suitable for starlings—with an opening 1.5 inches in diameter. The larger the opening, the more starlings will enter. Mount it on a post 4–6 feet high in an open area. Position it away from the west—the midday sun exposes the young to excessive heat.
Clear lines of sight everywhere. Bluebirds love to see predators coming.
Clean after each season. This is important.
fresh water
Birds need water. A simple bird bath will do the trick.
Keep it clean - change the water every two days. It should be shallow, 2.5-5 cm deep. Birds wade through and splash in the water, they don't swim.
I have two birdbaths. The bluebirds use them constantly.
cranberry bushes
It is beneficial year-round, especially in winter. Bluebirds need berries when insects are gone.
Good native plants in Maryland: Cornus tree, winterberry tree, servis tree, elderberry tree, and sumac tree.
Native plants also produce insects that feed on them in the spring and summer. It's all interconnected.
I have been replacing the plants grown in the garden with native plants for the past three years. Bird activity has increased significantly, similar to the results I've seen in backyard gardens in Wisconsin .
mealworms
Optional but effective. Live mealworms are a delicacy for bluebirds.
Buy them from pet stores or online, and keep them in the refrigerator. Place a small dish in the morning. The bluebirds will quickly find them and check on them daily.
During the nest-building period, the parents carry the young to their chicks. What a wonderful sight!
Keep cats indoors
Cats living outdoors kill billions of birds every year. Otherwise, your bird feeders will become cat feeding stations.
Keep them indoors. And encourage your neighbors too.
Mealworms: Buy them in bulk online. Much cheaper than pet stores.
Bluebird habitat
The bluebird's habitat is specific. It's not found just anywhere.
Animals need open spaces with short grass to hunt, such as golf courses, fields, parks, and cemeteries. They need to see the ground to spot insects.
You also need perches – fence posts, branches, wire. Hunt from the perches, not from the ground.
They need nesting cavities. Old trees with holes are suitable. Nesting boxes are best.
Top locations in Maryland: Farmland in Carroll, Frederick, and Harford counties. Farm areas on the East Coast. State parks with lawns.
Seasonal changes
Bluebirds are present here year-round, but their behavior changes.
Spring - from March to May
Males sing to mark their territories. Pairs form, and check boxes are placed. Females build nests from grass and lay 4-5 pale blue eggs.
The best time to watch. Everything is happening.
Summer - from June to August
The chicks hatch after two weeks. The parents continue to feed them for 15-20 days until they are able to fly. The chicks are brown and speckled.
Many pairs lay 2 to 3 clutches. Hatching continues throughout the summer.
Autumn - from September to November
Nesting stops. Families split up. Bluebirds form small flocks of 5 to 10 birds.
Switch from insects to berries when the insects die.
Winter - from December to February
Quieter. Flocks roam in search of berries. They adapt well to the Maryland winter - ruffling their feathers, gathering in hollows.
They still attract mealworms. According to bird research , they need a constant supply of food to maintain their high body temperature.
The story of environmental conservation
Bluebirds are in a much better position now than they were 50 years ago. They were in a very critical situation in the middle of the 20th century.
What happened
The nesting sites disappeared. The old trees were cut down. The wooden poles were replaced with metal ones. There was no more place to nest.
House sparrows and invasive starlings exploited the remaining bird cavities, killing the eggs and chicks. Pesticides wiped out the insects. No food, no birds.
By the 1970s, the population had declined sharply.
Return
People placed many nesting boxes. They provided trails for bluebirds along the roads. They provided them with nesting places.
The plan worked. The population recovered. A great success story.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has information on environmental conservation.
What you can do
Place the box. Monitor it. Clean it between nesting periods. This is the most important thing.
Plant native plants. Avoid using pesticides. Keep cats indoors. Report bird sightings to eBird.
Even small spaces are useful.
Common problems
Sparrows
Aggressive. Kills blue jay eggs/chicks to take the boxes.
Use traps and removal methods (intrusive, legal). Use bird-proof designs. Place boxes away from buildings.
predators
Snakes, raccoons, and cats attack the boxes.
Predator protection barriers – consisting of metal cones and stretch roofs – are mounted on smooth metal poles.
parasites
Bluebottle fly larvae suck the blood of children and may kill them.
Check weekly. Remove old material between hatching periods. Maintain cleanliness.
Box care: Clean it after each nesting process. Scrape away old nests completely.
Start bird monitoring
Would you like to try birdwatching ? Here's what can help you do that.
Buy a pair of binoculars. Nothing fancy. 8x42 is just right.
Download the Merlin Bird ID app – it's free and fantastic. The app helps you identify birds using photos or audio recordings.
Go early in the morning. Birds are most active in the early hours after sunrise.
Move slowly and quietly. Check the same places repeatedly. You will learn where the birds are.
Join local birdwatching tours. Organized by the Audubon Society. A great learning opportunity.
Other types of blue creatures
While talking about backyard birds , I only mentioned a few other bluebirds:
Tree swallow - its back is blue-green, and its belly is white. A summer visitor, it feeds on flies and insects.
Purple swallow - dark blue, almost black. Nests in colonies in residential buildings. Only in summer.
The blue-grey flycatcher is a small, bluish-grey bird. It lives in forests during the summer. It has a long tail and a sharp, chirping voice.
The collared kingfisher is blue-gray in color and has a crest. It lives near water. It dives in search of fish. It makes a loud, rattling sound.
Compare that to the red birds in Texas for different colors.
Concludes
Maryland bluebirds are truly amazing. Especially the eastern bluebirds—beautiful birds that bring joy to the sight of.
You don't need any experience. Just pay attention. Place a box, offer mealworms, and plant native plants. The birds will appear.
I knew nothing four years ago. Now I can identify most living things in Maryland by sight or sound. It becomes addictive once you start observing.
Go outside for fresh air. Look up. You'll find the birds there.
Do you need help identifying bird species in your area? Visit Savemite.com for professional bird naming and identification services. Whether you want to track birds in your garden or conduct field research, expert assistance is available.