Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) hunt within savannas and open fields by perching and scanning the area for prey items. Frequently Bluebirds "drop-forage" or fly down to prey that has been visually identified. Observations show Bluebirds have excellent eye sight, comparable to flycatchers, and can spot prey over 100ft away. Generally, insects and other small arthropods compose 75% of their diet; fruits or seeds make up the remaining 25% or so. Major arthropod food sources include butterfly and moth larvae (Lepidoptera), grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera), spiders (Araneida), and beetles (Coleoptera).
During the later summer and throughout the winter, Bluebirds will increase the amount of fruits in their diet. They eat various native fruits from trees and shrubs such as Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), Currents (Ribes sp.), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Holly (Ilex opaca), Pokeberry, (Phytolacca mericana), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), Smooth and many other Sumac (Rhus glabra, other Rhus spp.).
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