Types of Blue Birds in Virginia: A Complete Guide
Blue birds in Virginia include the eastern bluebird, blue jay, indigo bunting, blue grosbeak, and the belted kingfisher. Blue is a striking but relatively uncommon color among birds, which makes these blue species especially eye-catching in the Old Dominion. This guide covers the types of blue birds in Virginia, common species, how to tell them apart, where to see them, and why some birds are blue.
| Blue Bird | Key Features in Virginia |
|---|---|
| Eastern Bluebird | Blue above, orange breast |
| Blue Jay | Blue, crested, bold |
| Indigo Bunting | All deep blue male |
| Blue Grosbeak | Deep blue, large bill |
| Belted Kingfisher | Blue-gray, shaggy crest |
| Tree Swallow | Blue-green above, white below |
| Purple Martin | Large swallow, dark blue |
| Little Blue Heron | Slate blue wading bird |
The Main Types of Blue Birds in Virginia
There are several blue or bluish birds in Virginia, spanning different families. The most beloved is the eastern bluebird, a small thrush with a blue back and a warm orange breast, found in open areas and readily using nest boxes. The blue jay is a bold, crested blue-and-white bird common in yards and woods. Among the buntings and grosbeaks, the indigo bunting male is entirely deep blue and the blue grosbeak is a rich blue bird with a large bill. The belted kingfisher is a blue-gray bird with a shaggy crest, found along water. The swallows include the blue-green tree swallow and the large, dark purple martin, and the little blue heron is a slate-blue wading bird of wetlands, especially near the coast. Together these make up the birds people think of as blue birds in Virginia, ranging widely in family and habitat, starting with the beloved bird in our guide to the eastern bluebird.
Common Blue Birds in Virginia
Several types of blue birds are especially notable in Virginia. The eastern bluebird is a favorite, the male with a brilliant blue back and head and a warm orange breast, often seen in open areas, pastures, and parks and using nest boxes. The blue jay is a bold, crested blue-and-white bird common throughout the state, as covered in our guide to the blue jay. The indigo bunting male is a stunning, entirely deep blue bird seen in brushy areas and edges, mainly in the warmer months, and the blue grosbeak is a rich blue bird with a large bill and chestnut wingbars. The belted kingfisher is a blue-gray bird with a shaggy crest that hunts fish along rivers, lakes, and ponds. The tree swallow and purple martin are blue-toned swallows, with purple martins nesting in colonies in special houses, and the little blue heron is a slate-blue wading bird. Each brings its own blue beauty, as explored in our guide to types of jays.
How to Tell Virginia Blue Birds Apart
Telling Virginia’s blue birds apart is easier when you use size, shape, and the extent of blue. Start with the eastern bluebird’s orange breast, which sets it apart from the fully blue buntings, and the blue jay’s crest, which distinguishes it from most other blue birds. Note the amount of blue, since the indigo bunting male is entirely blue, the blue grosbeak is deep blue with a large bill and wingbars, and the eastern bluebird is blue only above with an orange breast. Look at shape and size, as jays are larger with strong bills, buntings and grosbeaks are finch-like, swallows are slender with pointed wings, and the belted kingfisher has a large head and shaggy crest. Habitat helps too, since the bluebird likes open areas, swallows feed over water and fields, the kingfisher is tied to water, and the little blue heron wades in wetlands. By combining size, shape, blue pattern, and habitat, you can identify Virginia’s blue birds, as explored in our guide to birds that look like blue jays.
Where to See Blue Birds in Virginia
Blue birds can be found across Virginia in a variety of habitats, depending on the species. The eastern bluebird favors open areas such as pastures, parks, golf courses, and open woods, readily using nest boxes, and it is present year-round. The blue jay is common in woodlands, parks, and yards throughout the state. The indigo bunting and blue grosbeak favor brushy fields, edges, and open woodlands, mainly during the warmer months, and the belted kingfisher is found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds statewide. The tree swallow and purple martin are seen over open areas and water, with purple martins nesting in colonies in special houses often provided by people. The little blue heron wades in marshes, ponds, and coastal wetlands, especially in the coastal plain. Virginia’s mix of open country, woodlands, waterways, and wetlands, from the mountains to the coast, supports this variety of blue birds. Because several blue birds, like the bluebird and blue jay, visit yards and nest boxes, they can often be seen near homes, as detailed in our guide to types of owls in Virginia.
Why Are Some Birds Blue?
The blue color in birds is especially fascinating because, unlike red and yellow, it usually does not come from pigment. Instead, blue in birds is a structural color, produced by the microscopic structure of the feathers, which scatters light in a way that makes them appear blue, much as the sky appears blue. This means that a blue feather does not actually contain blue pigment, and if you were to grind it up, the blue would disappear, because the color depends entirely on the feather’s structure and how it interacts with light. This is why blue birds can look more or less vivid depending on the angle and lighting. Because true blue pigment is essentially absent in birds, blue plumage is relatively uncommon and often striking, which adds to the appeal of blue birds. Bright blue coloring is used in display, helping birds attract mates and signal their quality. This structural origin of blue is a remarkable aspect of blue birds, adding to the wonder of species like those in our guide to types of blue birds in North Carolina.
The Eastern Bluebird, Virginia’s Beloved Blue Bird
The eastern bluebird deserves special attention as Virginia’s most beloved blue bird. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the eastern bluebird is a small thrush that readily nests in boxes and is a favorite of many birdwatchers, valued for its brilliant color and gentle nature. In Virginia, the eastern bluebird is a common, year-round resident of open areas such as pastures, parks, roadsides, and open woods, where the male’s vivid blue upperparts and warm orange breast make it a delight to see. Bluebirds feed largely on insects during the warmer months, often dropping from a perch to catch prey on the ground, and they switch to berries in winter. They nest in tree cavities and readily use nest boxes, which has helped their populations recover, and offering mealworms can bring them to yards. Bluebirds are widely regarded as symbols of happiness. The eastern bluebird’s beauty, gentle habits, and use of nest boxes make it a wonderful blue bird to attract and enjoy in Virginia, as explored in our guide to the eastern bluebird.
The Special Appeal of Blue Birds
Blue birds hold a special place in the human imagination, and it is worth reflecting on why they captivate us. Because true blue is a relatively uncommon color in the bird world, produced by feather structure rather than pigment, blue birds stand out vividly against green foliage and open sky, making them especially eye-catching and memorable. The eastern bluebird in particular is a beloved symbol of happiness and renewal in many traditions, and spotting a flash of brilliant blue can bring a moment of delight. Blue birds are often associated with joy, peace, and good fortune, and their beauty makes them favorites at feeders and nest boxes. In Virginia, the chance to attract bluebirds to a nest box adds to their appeal, connecting people with these lovely birds. This strong appeal is part of why people are so eager to identify and attract blue birds, adding to the pleasure of birding in Virginia and beyond.
Related reading: types of blue birds in Tennessee.
Related reading: types of blue birds in Illinois, types of blue birds in South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of blue birds in Virginia?
Common blue birds in Virginia include the eastern bluebird, blue jay, indigo bunting, blue grosbeak, belted kingfisher, tree swallow, purple martin, and little blue heron.
What is the difference between a bluebird and a blue jay?
The eastern bluebird is a small thrush, blue above with an orange breast, while the blue jay is a larger, crested blue-and-white bird with a strong bill and bold behavior.
What small bird is entirely blue in Virginia?
The male indigo bunting is a small bird that is entirely deep blue, seen in brushy areas and edges mainly in the warmer months. The blue grosbeak is also deep blue.
How do you attract bluebirds in Virginia?
Put up a bluebird nest box in an open area and offer mealworms. Eastern bluebirds readily use well-placed boxes and are drawn to open areas with short grass for hunting insects.
Why are some birds blue?
Blue in birds is usually a structural color, produced by the microscopic structure of the feathers scattering light, rather than by blue pigment, which birds essentially lack.
How do you tell Virginia blue birds apart?
Use size, shape, and blue pattern. The bluebird has an orange breast, the blue jay has a crest, the indigo bunting is entirely blue, and the kingfisher has a shaggy crest.
Where can you see blue birds in Virginia?
Blue birds live in open areas, woodlands, waterways, and wetlands across Virginia. The eastern bluebird favors open country, while the kingfisher is found along water.
