Eastern Bluebird Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Song (Eastern)
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New York, April 13, 2016Recorded by Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library
Song (Eastern)
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Maryland, June 10, 2017Recorded by Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library
Song (Eastern)
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Ohio, May 16, 1954Recorded by Arthur A. Allen / Macaulay Library
Calls (Eastern)
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New York, October 06, 2017Recorded by Glen Chapman / Macaulay Library
Calls (Eastern)
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Florida, August 09, 2018Recorded by Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library
Calls (Eastern)
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New York, July 05, 2009Recorded by Bob McGuire / Macaulay Library
Calls (Eastern)
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New York, July 05, 2009Recorded by Bob McGuire / Macaulay Library
Calls (Eastern)
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New York, November 04, 2017Recorded by Glen Chapman / Macaulay Library
Song (Mexican)
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Arizona, May 24, 1977Recorded by Bill Roe / Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

Eastern Bluebirds sing a fairly low-pitched, warbling song made up of several phrases, each consisting of 1-3 short notes. Harsher chattering notes may be interspersed with the whistles. The whole song lasts about 2 seconds. Typically, unpaired males sing this song from a high perch or sometimes in flight, as they try to attract a mate. Females sometimes sing this song when they see predators on their territory. Paired males sometimes sing a much softer version of this song while females are laying eggs.

Calls

The Eastern Bluebird’s most common call is a soft, low-pitched tu-a-wee with a querulous tone. The call lasts a little less than a second, with males’ calls typically slightly longer than females’. Bluebirds give this song in all seasons as a way of keeping in touch with each other or to signal nestlings that adults are bringing food. When bluebirds get too close to each other, they let each other know with a single, harsh screech. Females make a very soft, low chip when a courting male approaches. Birds nervous at the approach of a ground predator make a loud, continual chit-chit-chit.