mountain bluebird

Title: The Splendid Mountain Bluebird

1. Bird Name
English Name: Mountain Bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia currucoides

2. Appearance
The Mountain Bluebird is a striking sight with its radiant coloration. It exhibits a beautiful, bright sky-blue color on its back, wings, flanks, and tail. Male birds are noticeably brighter and uniformly blue in color, while the females showcase a more subdued gray-blue plumage highlighted with lighter blue especially on the wings and tail. The underparts of both sexes have a contrasting lighter ash-gray tone. Possessing a thin and small black beak and dark eyes, they are unmistakable in their appearance overall.

3. Size
Mountain Bluebirds are a medium-sized bird that typically measures between 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 in) in length. Their wingspan varies from 28 to 32 cm (11 to 12.6 in). These birds are lightweight and their weight ranges from 25 to 34 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Mountain Bluebird is primarily found across North America including western parts of Canada, USA, and Mexico. Favouring open habitats, they are commonly seen in alpine and subalpine zones, grasslands, ranchlands and in open coniferous forests. Their distribution becomes more scattered when they move to the Eastern parts of their range.

5. Interesting Facts
Mountain Bluebirds are known for their splendid aerial foraging technique where they spot their prey from high perches and swoop down to capture them. They are largely migratory and move to lower altitudes during winter. The blue color of the bird isn’t a pigment but a result of how the light reflects and refracts in their feathers.

6. Diet
Primarily insectivores, the Mountain Bluebird’s diet includes beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders. However, in the colder months, they supplement their diet with fruits and berries.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Mountain Bluebirds are generally solitary but may form loose flocks during migratory periods. They perform elaborate courtship rituals where males flutter in front of females with open wings, showcasing their vivid blue coloration. Their call is a soft, short ‘few’ or ‘fyeew’ and their song is a delightful warble that often goes ‘chur chur, churee’.

8. Conservation Status
Mountain Bluebirds are currently listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List, though local populations can fluctuate due to habitat loss.

9. Lifespan
On average, these birds live for 6-7 years in the wild. The longest recorded lifespan for a mountain bluebird is about 10 years.

10. Additional Notes
In native American folklore, the mountain bluebird is considered to be a harbinger of spring, symbolizing happiness and fulfillment. It is also the state bird of Nevada and Idaho. Not only do they contribute to their ecosystems by controlling insect population, but they are also loved by farmers who host nest boxes in their fields to attract these birds, in turn reducing pest numbers.