WhenToBird

Eastern Bluebird · Sialia sialis

When Do Bluebirds Arrive in Minnesota?

Adult male Eastern Bluebird
Photo: Dan Vickers, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Eastern Bluebirds reach Minnesota in late February, are common by mid March, peak in mid June (12% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular bluebirds in Minnesota.

When to look

First arrivalsFeb 22-28late February
Common byMar 15-21mid March
PeakJun 15-21mid June
Most gone byNov 1-7early November

Best: mid June. First arrivals late February; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 12% of Minnesota checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octpeak season
  11. Novcommon
  12. Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Bluebirds in Minnesota, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Eastern BluebirdFeb 22-28Mar 15-21Jun 15-21Nov 1-712%
0%5%10%15%Eastern BluebirdJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Eastern Bluebird
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Minnesota that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Minnesota

Best counties for Eastern Bluebird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Wadena CountyBest mid July · 32 checklists that week, 681 in all41%
  2. Todd CountyBest the second week of June · 94 checklists that week, 4,802 in all39%
  3. Steele CountyBest early June · 135 checklists that week, 4,784 in all37%
  4. Mower CountyBest the second week of June · 76 checklists that week, 2,590 in all32%
  5. Morrison CountyBest the second week of October · 44 checklists that week, 3,424 in all32%
  6. Fillmore CountyBest early October · 72 checklists that week, 3,791 in all31%

Common questions

When do bluebirds arrive in Minnesota?
Eastern Bluebirds reach Minnesota in late February, are common by mid March, peak in mid June (12% of checklists), and most are gone by early November. They are the only regular bluebirds in Minnesota.
When do bluebirds leave Minnesota?
Most Eastern Bluebirds have left Minnesota by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early January.
When is the best time to see bluebirds in Minnesota?
The Eastern Bluebird is reported most often in mid June, on about 12% of Minnesota checklists.