Mountain Bluebird

The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a small migratory thrush with a striking appearance, particularly the males with their vivid turquoise-blue plumage. Females are more subdued in color, with greyish tones mingling with blue on the wings and tail. This species is a delightful sight in the mountainous regions of western North America, where it graces the landscape with its presence.

Identification Tips

Adult males are resplendent in bright turquoise-blue above and lighter blue below, with a white lower belly. Their bills are thin, and their eyes are black. Females, on the other hand, exhibit duller blue wings and tail, a grey breast, crown, throat, and back. In the fall, females may show a red-orange tinge on the throat and breast, with a brownish hue near the flanks, contrasting with the white tail underparts. The Mountain Bluebird's call is a soft 'few', and its song is a melodious 'chur chur'.

Habitat

The Mountain Bluebird favors open country across western North America, including mountainous areas and as far north as Alaska. It thrives in grasslands and sagebrush landscapes where trees and shrubs are sparse.

Distribution

These birds have an extensive range, migrating south to Mexico during winter and returning north to western Canada and Alaska in the summer. They are year-round residents in some states.

Behaviour

The male Mountain Bluebird can often be seen singing from bare branches at dawn. These birds are cavity nesters and show a strong affinity for nest boxes, sometimes reusing them for successive broods. They are known to fiercely defend their nesting sites from intruders.

Song & Calls

The Mountain Bluebird's call is a thin 'few', while its song is a warbled high 'chur chur'.

Breeding

Mountain Bluebirds are monogamous and nest in pre-existing cavities or nest boxes. The female lays a clutch of four or five pale blue or sometimes white eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. The young are altricial, requiring extensive care before fledging around 21 days after hatching.

Similar Species

The Mountain Bluebird can be confused with the Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), but can be distinguished by its lighter and more uniform blue coloring.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Mountain Bluebird consists mainly of insects during the summer and berries and fruit seeds in the winter. They employ a hunting strategy of hovering over the ground before swooping down to catch prey or perching and flying to catch insects.

Conservation status

The Mountain Bluebird is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, populations have experienced a decline due to habitat changes and competition for nesting sites. Conservation efforts, including the provision of nest boxes, have helped stabilize some populations.