Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by naime

Blue birds are some of the most beautiful and captivating species around. North Carolina is home to a variety of blue birds, each with its own distinct features.

In this article we will explore different types of blue birds that can be found in North Carolina, their habitats and behaviors.

North Carolina has an abundance of wildlife for nature lovers to enjoy. Bird watchers flock from all over just to catch a glimpse of these stunning creatures. With many species living within North Carolina’s borders, it’s no wonder why there is such diversity when looking at blue bird populations here.

Keep reading to learn more about the various types of blue birds that make up the avian population in North Carolina!

Indigo Bunting

Ah, the indigo bunting!

A sight for sore eyes and a symbol of springtime. As its name implies, this small songbird is covered in feathers of indigo blue, with some black streaks here and there.

It’s hard to believe that something so small can make such an impact on our lives – but they do! In fact, these birds are often seen flitting around gardens and parks during the summer months, adding their melodic notes to the peaceful chorus of nature.

The coloration of an indigo bunting isn’t limited to just blues; males also have bright orange or yellow faces that blend seamlessly into their blue bodies. Females are slightly more muted than males, sporting pale gray marks along their wings instead.

These birds love open fields and woodlands – perfect habitats for them throughout North Carolina.

Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird is native to North Carolina and can be found throughout the state. It’s a medium-sized songbird, with males sporting bright blue plumage on their backs, wings, and tails while females have lighter grayish-blue feathers. These birds are commonly seen perched atop branches or flying low over open fields and meadows in search of insects for food.

These beautiful birds often nest in cavities which they find in trees, fence posts, and other man-made structures. They use these nesting sites year after year if left undisturbed. The Eastern Bluebird has become greatly diminished due to human activity such as deforestation and destruction of habitat; however conservation efforts have led to an increase in population numbers over recent years.

Moving forward into the next section then, let us take a look at the eastern phoebe.

Eastern Phoebe

They’re common throughout the year in North Carolina, so it’s worth getting to know the habits of the Eastern Phoebe. Knowing its range can also help you identify it when you encounter it in the wild.

Habits

Living in the Eastern United States, the Eastern Phoebe is one of the most common blue birds found in North Carolina.

This beautiful bird loves to eat insects like flies and spiders that it catches mid-flight. It also enjoys eating berries and seeds from trees when they are available.

These little birds tend to breed near wooded areas or in barns since they prefer open spaces with trees nearby for perching and nesting.

When searching for food, they often look around on branches and fly back down as soon as they find something edible.

The Eastern Phoebe’s habitats usually range between 6-76 feet above ground so keep an eye out if you’re looking to spot them!

All in all, these gorgeous creatures make a great addition to any backyard wildlife scene.

Range

The Eastern Phoebe’s range typically spans from Canada all the way down to Texas.

Although it can be found in other areas, this bird is most commonly spotted east of the Rocky Mountains throughout the eastern United States.

It has also been seen as far west as California and Alaska!

The species prefers open spaces with trees nearby for nesting and perching, but they are flexible enough to find food sources around urbanized areas like parks or farms.

As long as there’s foliage and plenty of bugs, these birds will make themselves right at home.

So if you live in an area that meets those criteria, keep an eye out – chances are you’ll spot one soon!

Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is an unmistakable bird that can be found often in North Carolina. These majestic birds are typically over 3 feet tall, with a wingspan of up to 6 feet! They have a long neck and legs, as well as distinctive white head plumes.

The Great Blue Heron has been known to inhabit both freshwater and saltwater habitats throughout the state, making them one of the most versatile birds in terms of habitat selection. While they feed mostly on small fish and invertebrates such as frogs, crayfish, and insects, they will also occasionally eat larger prey like snakes.

Great Blue Herons use their unique hunting technique of standing still for hours at a time waiting for unsuspecting prey items to come close enough to spear with their sharp bill. Thanks to this ability, these magnificent creatures have become successful hunters in the North Carolina landscape.

Eastern Blue Jay

The Great Blue Heron is a large, beautiful bird with long legs and a graceful neck. It wades in shallow water hunting for fish, frogs and other small aquatic animals. These birds are also known to feed on mice, voles, snakes and even insects when they can find them. They can be found throughout North Carolina in marshes, ponds, rivers and lakes.

Eastern Blue Jays have vibrant blue plumage over most of their bodies with white throats and black caps on their heads. Although mostly sedentary, these birds may migrate short distances during winter or after breeding season. In urban areas they often look for food at backyard birdfeeders as well as parks, woodlands and fields. In the wild they eat nuts such as acorns, berries like elderberry and holly fruit, seeds from grasses and grains as well as invertebrates like caterpillars.

Here is a list of places you might see Eastern Blue Jays:

On golf courses
In suburban backyards

At nature preserves

Their loud calls usually announce their presence before we actually spot them! As we transition into our next topic about blue grosbeaks let us take one last moment to appreciate this unique species that enriches North Carolina’s avian diversity.

Blue Grosbeak

They’re found in parts of central and eastern North Carolina, usually in wooded areas. Their diet mainly consists of insects, berries and seeds. During breeding season, they tend to be quite territorial and will defend their nests vigorously.

Habitat

As one of the most common North Carolina blue birds, Blue Grosbeak can be found in forests and woodlands across the state. They prefer open habitats with plenty of grasses and weeds for them to find food such as seeds, insects, spiders, and berries.

During the winter months they may also reside in coastal areas or urban parks if there is enough vegetation present. The Blue Grosbeak has been known to build their nests near rivers or creeks so that they have access to a reliable water source.

With its vibrant colors and melodious song, this species is sure to brighten up any corner of nature!

Diet

The Blue Grosbeak has a varied diet that includes seeds, insects, spiders and berries. They can be seen foraging through open grassy areas or the edges of woodlands picking up whatever they find.

During the winter months they may also feed in urban parks if there is enough vegetation present. This species is an opportunistic eater and will take advantage of any food source it comes across.

It’s no wonder why this bird is so colorful – they’re getting all the nutrients they need from their meals!

Breeding Behavior

The Blue Grosbeak’s breeding behavior is quite interesting too.

It typically nests in shrubs or low trees, usually near water sources and tends to avoid open meadows.

They build a cup-shaped nest with bits of grasses, twigs, leaves and bark, lined with fine plant material like feathers and hair.

The female lays 2-4 eggs that are pale blue or greenish color marked with brown or gray spots.

Both parents share the responsibility for incubating the eggs until they hatch after about 12 days of incubation.

Once the young have hatched both parents feed them regurgitated food until they fledge from the nest at 10-14 days old.

Afterward, the chicks remain dependent on their parents for another two weeks before they become fully independent.

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a small, blue bird native to North Carolina and the surrounding region. While it can be difficult for some bird watchers to distinguish this species from other birds found in the area due to its size and coloring, there are certain key characteristics that make it unique.

Characteristic	Description
Coloration	Grayish-blue above with white underparts
Tail Pattern	Long tail with outer feathers darker than inner feathers; tail often cocked up at an angle
Size	Length of 4 – 5 inches (10 – 13 cm) with wingspan of 7 – 8 inches (18 – 20 cm)

This species typically prefers open woodlands or forest edges, but may also frequent gardens and parks when migrating through or overwintering here. It feeds mainly on insects, spiders, and berries, although it will occasionally eat seeds as well. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is especially adept at catching flying insects in midair thanks to its acrobatic maneuvers and long bill. With all these features combined, it’s clear why this is such an interesting bird species to observe! Moving on from the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher we now turn our attention to another common bird seen throughout North Carolina – the Common Grackle.

Common Grackle

The Common Grackle is a species of blue bird that can be found in North Carolina. They have a distinctive oval shape and a glossy black head, neck, back and tail feathers with iridescent purple-blue wings.

The female grackle has paler tones of grayish brown than the male’s deep black coloration. These birds are usually seen in large flocks, where they feed on insects, grains and fruits.

These birds often inhabit open areas such as fields, parks and golf courses which provide them ample food sources close by. In addition to their diet consisting mainly of insects and seeds, they also eat small fish or frogs when given the opportunity.

As vocal creatures, these birds will make loud calls while flying during the day or night. Their distinct call sounds like ‘QUACK-LA’ or ‘KWAK-KA’. With this in mind, it’s easy for anyone to identify them among other birds in North Carolina.

American Kestrel

The American Kestrel, one of the most captivatingly colored creatures in North Carolina, is a blue bird with a bewitching beauty. With its breathtaking blues, alluring azures, and mesmerizing mauves, this kestrel’s kaleidoscope of coloration never fails to mesmerize.

This majestic raptor can often be found perched atop telephone poles or soaring through skies:

Hovering high above fields hunting for voles;
Circling around trees searching for prey;
Soaring across highways during migration season;

Gliding low over rivers towards roosting spots.

These small birds are incredibly brave – they take on hawks and even eagles that try to invade their territories! Their boldness is rivaled only by their brilliance – truly an inspiration to behold as they streak through the sky like bolts of lightning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Other Types Of Bird Species Are Found In North Carolina?

What other types of bird species are in North Carolina?

Well, the state is home to a wide variety of birds. Several types of woodpeckers and owls can be spotted throughout the state, as well as large waterfowl like ducks and geese.

The eastern bluebird is one of the most common birds found in NC, but there are several other species such as cardinals, robins, thrushes, warblers and blackbirds that inhabit different areas across the state.

What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Blue Bird In North Carolina?

The average lifespan of a blue bird in North Carolina varies depending on the species.

Some species, such as Eastern Bluebirds and Mountain Bluebirds, have been known to live up to 10 years, while others may only survive for one or two years.

Additionally, blue birds in captivity tend to have longer lifespans than those found in nature due to having access to more food sources and protection from predators.

How Can I Attract Blue Birds To My Yard?

Attracting blue birds to your yard is a great way to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature!

There are many ways to attract these beloved birds, such as providing nesting boxes, food sources like bird feeders or natural insects, and water.

You can also create a habitat for them by planting native plants that provide protection from predators and bear fruit they’ll love.

Additionally, you can reduce noise pollution in your yard, since loud noises deter them.

With these simple steps, you’ll soon be able to enjoy watching beautiful blue birds in your own backyard!

Are Blue Birds Endangered In North Carolina?

Are blue birds endangered in North Carolina?

This is an important question to ask, as their population numbers have been declining due to habitat loss.

Blue birds are a common species of bird found throughout the United States and many states have taken steps to protect them.

In North Carolina, conservationists are working hard to ensure that these colorful birds remain abundant for generations to come by creating protected habitats and encouraging citizens to attract them to their yards with nesting boxes.

What Is The Best Time Of Year For Blue Bird Sightings In North Carolina?

Blue birds are a common sight in North Carolina, and the best time of year for blue bird sightings is during the spring.

According to research from The Audubon Society, over 30 species of blue birds have been spotted across the state between April and June.

This makes it an ideal opportunity for amateur bird watchers to spot them!

Birders can also increase their chances by heading out early in the morning or late afternoon when activity levels tend to be higher.

Conclusion

In conclusion, North Carolina is home to an incredible variety of birds.

From the majestic bluebird to the chirpy sparrows, these feathered friends bring joy and beauty to our state.

The bluebird in particular has a special place in many of our hearts – its vibrant plumage striking a chord within us that evokes a sense of wonderment.

Watching them flitting around with their melodic singing fills one’s heart with peace and contentment.

No matter what time of year it is, there are always opportunities for blue bird sightings here in North Carolina if you know where to look!

With some effort on your part, you can also attract these beautiful creatures to your own backyard by providing sources of food and water as well as safe nesting spots.

All you need is a little patience and dedication – who knows, maybe someday soon you’ll be able to share your yard with these inspiring avian companions!

Types Of Blue Birds In North Carolina