Few backyard birds bring as much excitement as the return of bluebirds in spring. Their soft colors, gentle personalities, and beautiful songs make them a favorite for birdwatchers across the country.
If you've ever wondered how to attract bluebirds to your yard, the good news is that a few simple steps can make a big difference.
The quickest ways to attract bluebirds
• Install a bluebird nesting box in an open area
• Offer insects like dried mealworms
• Use feeders that allow bluebirds easy access
• Provide a nearby water source
Bluebirds prefer insects over seed, especially during nesting season when they are feeding their young. Offering mealworms and providing a safe nesting space can dramatically increase your chances of seeing them in your backyard.
When Bluebirds Nest in Spring
Bluebirds are among the first birds many people notice returning in spring.
Their nesting season typically follows this pattern:
Late February – March
Bluebirds begin scouting nesting areas and establishing territory.
March – April
Nest building begins, often inside nest boxes or natural cavities.
April – June
Eggs hatch and parents begin feeding the chicks constantly.
June – July
Many pairs raise a second brood.
Bluebirds often lay four to six pale blue eggs, usually one egg per day until the clutch is complete.
Watching a bluebird nest develop is one of the most rewarding experiences in backyard birdwatching.
What Do Bluebirds Eat?
Unlike many feeder birds, bluebirds rely heavily on insects for food.
Their natural diet includes:
• caterpillars
• beetles
• grasshoppers
• spiders
• mealworms
• berries (in cooler seasons)
Because of this, bluebirds may ignore traditional seed mixes. During nesting season especially, they are constantly searching for insects to feed their growing chicks.
This is why dried mealworms are one of the most reliable ways to attract bluebirds to your yard.
The Best Feeders for Bluebirds
Bluebirds prefer feeders where they can perch comfortably and easily spot food.
Many birdwatchers have success using:
• tray feeders
• platform feeders
• specialized bluebird feeders for mealworms
These feeder styles allow bluebirds to access insects while reducing competition from larger birds.
If you're hoping to encourage bluebirds this season, using a feeder designed with them in mind can make a big difference.
👉 Browse our Bluebird Feeders here
Why Nest Boxes Make the Biggest Difference
One of the main reasons bluebirds disappeared from many areas decades ago was the loss of natural nesting cavities.
Bluebirds prefer to nest in small holes found in:
• old fence posts
• tree cavities
• wooden structures
Because those spaces are harder to find today, nest boxes have become one of the most effective ways to support bluebirds.
A well-placed nest box can attract nesting pairs year after year.
Bluebird nest boxes work best when they are:
• placed in open yards or fields
• mounted about 4–6 feet off the ground
• facing open space rather than dense woods
Adding a nest box is often the step that turns an occasional bluebird sighting into a regular backyard visitor.
👉 Explore Bluebird Nest Boxes here
___________________________________________________________________________________________
How Far Apart Should Bluebird Nest Boxes Be?
Bluebirds are territorial during nesting season, so spacing matters.
As a general rule, place bluebird nest boxes at least 100 yards apart. This gives each pair enough room to establish their territory and find food without constant conflict.
If you place boxes too close together, one pair will usually drive the other away.
If you’re installing multiple boxes on a property or creating a small “bluebird trail,” spacing them 100–150 yards apart is a good starting point.
A Helpful Trick: Pairing Nest Boxes
In areas where Tree Swallows are common, some birdwatchers place two boxes about 15–20 feet apart, then space those pairs about 300 feet apart.
Because swallows and bluebirds use different feeding strategies, they can sometimes nest side by side without competing.
Simple Backyard Rule
For most backyards, the easiest guideline is:
One bluebird box per yard, or boxes spaced roughly 100 yards apart in open habitat.
Bluebirds prefer open areas like lawns, fields, golf courses, and large yards where they can easily spot insects on the ground.
The Bluebird Nesting Cycle
One of the joys of hosting bluebirds is watching their nesting cycle unfold.
Bluebird Eggs
Bluebird eggs are typically a beautiful pale blue color, though occasionally they may appear white.
The female usually lays one egg per day until the nest is complete.
Newly Hatched Bluebirds
When bluebird chicks hatch, they are tiny, blind, and completely dependent on their parents.
Both parents work tirelessly to bring insects back to the nest every few minutes.
Growing Bluebirds
Within just a couple of weeks, the chicks begin developing feathers and growing rapidly.
Soon they are ready to leave the nest and begin exploring the world outside.
Seeing this process happen in your own backyard is something many bird lovers never forget.
5 Simple Tips to Attract Bluebirds
If you'd love to see bluebirds in your yard this spring, try these simple steps:
1. Install a nest box
Bluebirds prefer nesting cavities and will often choose a well-placed box.
2. Offer dried mealworms
Mealworms mimic the insects bluebirds naturally hunt.
3. Keep feeders clean
Clean feeders help keep birds healthy.
4. Provide fresh water
A birdbath can attract many birds, including bluebirds.
5. Avoid pesticides
Healthy insect populations provide natural food for bluebirds.
A Simple Way to Support Bluebirds and Other Spring Songbirds
Because bluebirds rely so heavily on insects during nesting season, many backyard bird lovers add dried mealworms to their feeders in spring.
To make feeding easier during this busy season, I created our Spring Select Blend, which combines sunflower, peanuts, safflower, and dried mealworms in one mix designed to attract colorful spring birds.
The mealworms help draw bluebirds, while the seeds attract other favorites like cardinals, grosbeaks, and buntings.
👉 Shop the Spring Select Blend here
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you attract bluebirds quickly?
Offering dried mealworms and installing a bluebird nest box in an open area are two of the fastest ways to attract bluebirds to your yard.
Do bluebirds eat birdseed?
Bluebirds primarily eat insects and berries. They may occasionally eat seeds, but they are much more likely to visit feeders offering mealworms.
Where should a bluebird nest box be placed?
Bluebird nest boxes work best when mounted about 4–6 feet above the ground and facing open space such as a yard or field.
Welcoming Bluebirds to Your Backyard
If you’ve been hoping to see bluebirds in your yard, spring is the perfect time to get things ready.
Providing a safe nesting space and offering insect-based food like mealworms can make your backyard especially inviting during nesting season. Many bird lovers find that once bluebirds discover a good nesting spot, they return year after year.
If you’d like to encourage them this season, these simple additions can help:
• A bluebird nest box placed in open space
• A feeder designed for offering mealworms
• High-quality food that supports spring songbirds
👉 Explore Bluebird Feeders
👉 Browse Bluebird Nest Boxes
👉 Shop the Spring Select Blend
With just a few small changes, your yard can become a place where bluebirds stop, nest, and raise their young.
A Special Thank You
The photos in this article were generously shared by Mary C., a Happy Birdwatcher customer, who documented the full nesting cycle in her backyard. Seeing bluebirds raise a family is one of the most special experiences in birdwatching.