| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 100330 - Disclosure - Business combinations (Tables) (http://www.bluebirdbio.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBusinessCombinationsTables) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001293971 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Business Combinations [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Combinations [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated Amortization of Intangible Assets | The estimated amortization of intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
|