Mountain Bluebird

Least Concern

Sialia currucoides

A flash of sky-blue streaking across the western mountains signals one of North America's most eye-catching songbirds at work, hovering like a kestrel before diving for insects in the alpine meadows.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Mountain Bluebird is a small thrush with a slender profile and long wings. Males are a rich, bright blue across their upperparts, fading to lighter blue on the breast and white on the lower belly. The wing tips are dusky, not pure blue.

Females are primarily grey-brown, with a distinctive blue rump patch and blue in the wings and tail. Their underparts can range from grey-brown to pale buff, with a whiter chin and belly. They also have a subtle white eye ring.

Young birds look similar to females but are darker, with distinctive white spotting on their breast and upper flanks.

Size

Length

15cm to 18cm

Wingspan

28cm to 36cm

Weight

24g to 37g

Colours

Primary Colour

Blue

Secondary Colour

Grey White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Mountain Bluebirds inhabit open, montane areas across western North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They prefer high-elevation meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands with scattered trees for nesting and perching.

During the breeding season, they occupy higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains and other western ranges. In winter, many birds move to lower elevations or more southern regions, including parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Elevation Range

Up to 3,800 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

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Resident
Breeding

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 35
Adaptability 82
Aggressiveness 40
Endurance 75

Diet

Mountain Bluebirds primarily feed on insects, including grasshoppers, caterpillars, and beetles. They supplement their diet with small fruits and berries, especially during winter months when insects are scarce.

Their hunting style involves hovering and dropping to the ground to catch prey.

Behaviour

Mountain Bluebirds are often seen perched on fenceposts or low branches, scanning the ground for insects. They employ a distinctive 'drop and hover' hunting technique, flying down to catch prey on the ground or in mid-air.

During the breeding season, males perform aerial displays to attract mates, showcasing their vibrant plumage.

Vocalisation

The Mountain Bluebird's song is a series of soft, warbling phrases, often described as 'few-few-few' or 'chur-chur'. Their call is a thin, musical 'few' or 'phew'.

During courtship, males sing more frequently, producing longer, more varied songs to attract mates.

Nesting & Breeding

Mountain Bluebirds form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which typically begins in late spring. Males perform aerial displays and offer nesting material to attract females.

Nests are built in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or nest boxes. Females construct the nest using grasses and fine plant materials, laying 4-8 pale blue eggs.

Incubation lasts about 13 days, primarily done by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 18-21 days. Pairs often raise two broods per season in favorable conditions.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 4 - 6 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 9 years [1]
0
3
6
8
11

years

The Mountain Bluebird typically lives for 4 to 6 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 9 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [2]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Mountain Bluebirds face threats from habitat loss due to urban development and changes in agricultural practices.

Conservation efforts include the installation of nest boxes in suitable habitats, which has helped stabilize populations in some areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

5,600,000 mature individuals [3]

Global Population Trend

Increasing[4]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Mountain Bluebirds in open, high-elevation areas with scattered trees.
  • Listen for their soft, warbling song, especially during spring.
  • Observe fenceposts and low perches in grasslands for hunting birds.
  • In winter, search for flocks in lower elevation open areas.
  • In the western United States, check bluebird nest boxes in appropriate habitats.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Arctic Bluebird

Family:

Turdidae

Predators

Main predators include hawks, falcons, domestic cats, and snakes. Nest predators such as squirrels and chipmunks also pose a threat to eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. Mountain Bluebirds can hover like kestrels when hunting, a unique behavior among thrushes.
  2. They are the state bird of Idaho and Nevada.
  3. These birds can survive at elevations over 12,000 feet (3,800 meters) during breeding season.

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References

  1. 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2019. Sialia currucoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22708556A137560639.

    View source
  2. 4

    report, 2017: Sauer et al.

  3. 3

    website, 2022: Partners in Flight

    View source
  4. 1

    website: Historical Longevity Records of North American Birds

    View source