Male Eastern Bluebird Catches Cricket

As a wildlife enthusiast and photographer, I had the pleasure of observing the delightful Eastern Bluebirds in my yard recently. It was a cloudy day, and I noticed a male Eastern Bluebird swooping down to the ground with lightning speed to catch a cricket. I was impressed by the agility and precision of this small bird.

Male Eastern Bluebird Catches Cricket
Male Eastern Bluebird Catches Cricket

As I continued to watch, I noticed that the male Eastern Bluebird’s mate was busy constructing a nest in one of my birdhouses. The male was dutifully standing guard, watching over his mate and their future offspring. Whenever the female arrived at the birdhouse with pine needles to add to the nest, the male would land on top of the birdhouse and wait patiently until she finished. Once she was done, they both flew off to catch some food for themselves.

Eastern Bluebirds are fascinating birds that are found in many parts of North America. They are small, colorful songbirds with stunning blue feathers on their backs, wings, and tails. The male has a bright blue color with a rusty-red breast, while the female is a bit duller, with a bluish-gray color on her back and wings.

These birds prefer open habitats such as meadows, fields, and golf courses, and are commonly seen perched on wires and fence posts. They feed on insects, fruits, and berries, and are known for their insect-catching abilities, just like the male I witnessed catching a cricket.

Eastern Bluebirds are also known for their interesting nesting behavior. They typically nest in natural cavities such as hollowed-out trees, but they readily use artificial nest boxes provided by humans.

In conclusion, my experience observing the Eastern Bluebirds in my yard was truly amazing. These beautiful birds are not only stunning to look at, but also have fascinating behaviors and habits. It’s no wonder that they are a favorite among wildlife photographers and bird watchers alike.

I posted about the female Eastern Blue taking a spa day a couple of days ago: Spa Day For This Eastern Bluebird

Gear Used:

  • Camera: Canon EOS R7
  • Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

Technical:

I photographed this Eastern Bluebird from inside my pickup parked in my driveway. I had my camera and lens resting on a beanbag draped over an open window.

  • Location: Lavaca (Arkansas)
  • Date and Time Taken: March 12, 2023 (09:47 A. M.)
  • Exposure Mode: Manual
  • Aperture: f8
  • Shutter speed: 1/1000
  • ISO: 1000 (Auto)
  • Focal Length: 500 mm