Mountain Bluebird

Overview

The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a small migratory thrush found in the mountainous districts of western North America. It is a relative of the eastern and western bluebirds and serves as the state bird of both Idaho and Nevada.

Identification

• Adults are sexually dimorphic in plumage; males are bright turquoise-blue with a lighter blue underside and white lower belly, while females have duller blue wings and tail, a grey breast, and a grey crown.
• Measuring 15.5–18 cm in length, the bird possesses a thin bill and black eyes.
• The call is described as a thin 'few', while the song consists of a warbled high 'chur chur'.

Habitat

Breeding habitat consists of open country across western North America, including mountainous areas, grasslands, and landscapes of sagebrush with trees and shrubs spread fairly far apart. The range extends from Mexico in the winter to western Canada and Alaska in the summer.

Diet

As an omnivore, the bird feeds on arthropods such as grasshoppers, spiders, and beetles during the summer, shifting to berries and fruit seeds in winter. Foraging behaviour involves hovering over the ground to catch insects and flying from a perch to capture prey.

Did you know?

The Twitter bird logo is based on the mountain bluebird. These birds are cavity nesters that can become very partial to a nest box, often reusing the same nest if they have successfully raised a clutch.