ID TIPS: Eastern Bluebird

KEY FIELD MARKS

1. Short, thin bill with touch of yellow at base
2. Rusty orange from breast to lower throat and side of neck
3. White from belly extends high up center of breast
4. Crown and upperparts entirely deep blue
5. Rusty flanks and white undertail coverts
6. Fairly long wingtips reach base of tail

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Size and Size of a large sparrow but with more upright posture. Short, thin bill, round head, short neck, and fairly long wingtips.• Crown and back bright blue (male) to dull blue-gray (female), rarely with any brown.• Chin usually whitish; lower throat rusty orange on male, whitish on female. Orange extends up onto side of neck on both.• Always white, a helpful distinction from the other two bluebird species.• When perched, wingtips reach to base of tail. Primary extension shorter than tertials (about same length as tertials in Mountain Bluebird).