I watched an Eastern Bluebird catch a cricket in my Arkansas yard. The male swooped to the ground with impressive speed and accuracy.
Eastern Bluebird Catches a Cricket
The male moved quickly when he spotted the cricket. He dropped to the ground, caught it, and returned with the insect in his bill.
Meanwhile, his mate worked on a nest inside one of my birdhouses. She carried pine needles into the box while the male stayed nearby.
Each time she entered the birdhouse, he landed on top and waited. Once she finished, they flew away to search for food.
Eastern Bluebirds often hunt from low perches in open areas. They watch the ground before dropping onto insects. Their diet also includes fruit and berries.
This hunting method reminded me of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher With Cricket at Sunnymede Park. Both birds used quick movements to capture their prey.
Photographing the Male Bluebird
I photographed the male from inside my pickup. The truck was parked in my driveway in Lavaca, Arkansas.
My camera and lens rested on a beanbag draped over the open window. That setup gave me a steady shooting platform without leaving the truck.
Clouds covered the sky that morning. I photographed the bluebird on March 12, 2023, at 9:47 a.m.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Focal length: 500mm
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/1000 second
- ISO: 1000, Auto ISO
- Support: Beanbag over the open truck window
Watching Bluebirds in My Yard
The cricket catch gave me another look at how efficiently these bluebirds hunt. At the same time, the female continued preparing their nest.
A few days earlier, I photographed a different moment involving the pair. The female took time for a bath in Spa Day For This Eastern Bluebird.
Having bluebirds use a birdhouse in my yard lets me observe many parts of their daily lives. Sometimes the best moments happen only a short distance from home.