Mountain bluebird

Mountain Bluebird
Male
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Turdidae
Genus:	Sialia
Species:	S. currucoides
Binomial name
Sialia currucoides (Bechstein, 1798)
Range

The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a medium-sized bird weighing about 2-5 ounces, with a length from 15–20 cm (6–8 in). They have light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills are bright turquoise-blue and somewhat lighter beneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, grey breast, grey crown, throat and back. In fresh fall plumage, the female's throat and breast are tinged with red-orange; brownish near the flank contrasting with white tail underparts. Call is a thin few; Song is warbled high chur chur.

Distribution and habitat

The Mountain Bluebird is migratory. Their range varies from Mexico in the winter to as far north as Alaska, throughout the western U.S. and Canada. Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents. Some birds may move to lower elevations in winter. They inhabit open rangelands, meadows, generally at elevations above 5,000 feet. Contrary to popular belief, Mountain bluebirds are not a species of concern in the United States. The turn around in Mountain bluebird numbers is due to the overwhelming efforts of landowners in the West to provide nest boxes for these birds. At one time, Mountain bluebird numbers were threatened because of increased competition for decreasing natural cavity nesting spots by other species such as Tree Swallows and House Sparrows.

Feeding

These birds hover over the ground and fly down to catch insects, also flying from a perch to catch them. They mainly eat insects and berries. They may forage in flocks in winter, when they mainly eat grasshoppers. Mountain bluebirds will come to a platform feeder with live meal worms, berries, or peanuts.

Breeding

This species also can be a powder blue or with a gray chest.

Their breeding habitat is open country across western North America, including mountain areas, as far north as Alaska. They nest in pre-existing cavities or in nest boxes. In remote areas, these birds are less affected by competition for natural nesting locations than other bluebirds. Mountain bluebirds are a monogamous breed. The male can be seen singing from bare branches. The singing takes place right at dawn, just when the sun rises. Females usually build the nests themselves. Eggs: pale blue and unmarked, sometimes white. Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs. Young are naked and helpless at hatching and may have some down. Incubation normally last 14 days and the young will take about 21 days before they leave the nest. Both males and females fiercely protect the nest.

It is the state bird of Idaho and Nevada.

Nest Boxes

Mountain bluebirds are cavity nesters and can become very partial to a nest box, especially if they have successfully raised a clutch. They may even re-use the same nest, though not always. Providing nest boxes is a great way to observe these beautiful birds. Mountain bluebirds will not abandon a nest if human activity is detected close by or at the nest. Because of this, mountain bluebirds can be easily banded while they are still in the nest.

Similar species

• Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)
• Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

References

• Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• All About Birds: Mountain Bluebird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Mountain Bluebird Information and Photos South Dakota Birds and Birding
• The Condor, Vol. 83, No. 3 (Aug., 1981), pp. 252–255

External links

• Mountain Bluebird Information and Awareness
• North American Bluebird Societyrainbow monkeys