• A Western Bluebird in Ohio?

    Question

    I spotted this bird at Observatory Park and think it is a western bluebird. If it is why is it in Ohio?

    Naturalist's Response

    This is a very curious juvenile Eastern Bluebird. You can tell that it is a juvenile because of the speckling  all over its breast, sides and back. This is a common characteristic of all birds in the thrush family, of which the eastern bluebird is a member. The speckles will fade as the bluebird matures. The speckles may initially cause some uncertainty in identification. It is very interesting that this bird is looking into a hole in what appears to be concrete or mortar. Eastern bluebirds  are cavity nesters so I am wondering if this hole he’s looking into is a nest cavity. Very interesting.

    -Denise Wolfe, Naturalist