New York State Bird: Eastern Bluebird
Fact-checked • Updated November 27, 2025
New York State Bird – Eastern Bluebird
New York designated the Eastern Bluebird as its official state bird on May 18, 1970, when Governor Nelson Rockefeller signed the legislation. The state became the last in the nation to select a bird. Observers see these small thrushes perched on posts and wires. Bright blue backs reflect light across open fields and orchards.
Why New York Chose This Bird
An informal poll in 1928 showed the bluebird as the clear favorite among New York residents. The Federation of Women's Clubs organized the vote through local chapters. Robin finished second. Lawmakers waited 42 years before making it official.
Why the delay? Legislative records offer no explanation. A couple from Marathon pushed for action in 1970. Allen and Mrs. Christopher convinced assemblyman George Michaels to introduce legislation. The Federation of Bird Clubs had complained about the neglect at their annual convention.
Bluebirds returned north earlier than most migrants. Residents saw this as a sign of approaching spring. Open farmland provided ideal habitat across New York. Orchards and pastures hosted breeding pairs from April through August each year.
Legislative History
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The 1928 Vote
Mrs. Charles Cyrus Marshall led the Federation of Women's Clubs poll during Bird Day on April 13, 1928. Eastern Bluebird won decisively. Most states formalized their choices within a year or two. New York held the record for longest wait between informal selection and official designation.
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1970 Legislative Action
Assemblyman George Michaels introduced the bill in 1970 after being approached by constituents in Cortland County. Senator Tarky Lombardi handled the senate version. The senate passed it February 18 with 49 ayes and zero nays. Assembly followed on March 2. Governor Rockefeller signed the legislation May 18, making New York the final state to adopt an official bird.
What This Bird Represents
Conservation Success Story
Eastern Bluebird populations crashed during the mid-20th century. European starlings and house sparrows competed aggressively for nest cavities. Metal fence posts replaced wooden ones, eliminating natural nesting sites. Pesticides reduced insect prey. Numbers dropped severely by the 1960s.
Comeback Through Citizen Action
North American Bluebird Society launched education campaigns about proper nest box construction and placement. Volunteers established bluebird trails with hundreds of boxes along field edges and roadsides. New York participated actively in recovery efforts. Population numbers rebounded across the northeast. Conservation dedication brought the species back from dangerous decline.
Physical Characteristics
Male Appearance
Male Eastern Bluebirds display brilliant royal blue across the head, back, wings, and tail. Rusty-red coloring covers the throat and breast. White belly contrasts sharply with the upper colors. Short black bill stays straight. Large dark eyes dominate the rounded head. Size? About seven inches from bill to tail tip.
Female and Juvenile Plumage
Females show more subdued tones than males. Grayish-blue replaces the bright blue on upperparts. Orange-brown breast appears duller, more orange than rusty. Blue tinges mark the wings and tail. Juveniles look grayish-brown overall with spotted breasts and white streaking. Young birds develop adult plumage gradually over their first year.
Behavior and Song
Hunting Strategy
Eastern Bluebirds perch on wires, posts, and low branches watching the ground below. Insects spotted? They drop down to capture prey, often hovering briefly before grabbing it. Flight speed reaches 17 miles per hour. Vision works exceptionally well for locating food from 100 feet away.
Vocalizations and Courtship
Males sing a musical warbling chur-lee that rises in pitch. Song extends to chur, chur-lee, chur-lee repeated several times. What attracts females? Males flutter with half-open wings and fanned tails. They bring nest material to cavities, going in and out while waving wings from the perch above. Females build the actual nest alone despite the male's displays.
Habitat and Range
New York Distribution
Eastern Bluebirds inhabit open country throughout New York. Fields, meadows, orchards, and suburban parks all provide suitable territory. They need scattered trees for perching but avoid dense forests. Sparse ground cover works best for spotting prey. Northern populations migrate south in winter, though some individuals stay if food remains available.
Nesting Requirements
Cavity nesters depend on old woodpecker holes or nest boxes for breeding sites. Natural tree cavities work when available. Most New York bluebirds now use artificial nest boxes placed five to six feet above ground. Females construct loosely woven cups of grass and pine needles lined with finer materials. Three to five pale blue eggs make up a typical clutch. Two broods per season happen frequently.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
New York was the last state in the United States to adopt an official state bird, waiting until 1970 despite selecting the bluebird informally in 1928.
Eastern Bluebird Songs & Calls
Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Eastern Bluebird. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.
Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Also the State Bird of:
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.
Official state agency information on Eastern Bluebird designation and natural history • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Detailed history of the 1970 legislative process and conservation efforts • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Comprehensive species identification, behavior, and range information • Accessed: November 30, 2025
Habitat requirements, diet, and nesting behavior details • Accessed: November 30, 2025
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