The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a perfect example of a bird that ticks all the boxes. It’s not only adorable and cuddly, but its sky blue feathers also make it a stunning sight to behold.
Unlike male birds, female birds have predominantly gray-brown feathers on their heads, chests, wings, and tails.
During the breeding period, this bird can be spotted across a large part of Western Canada and the United States. Its presence often serves as a signal for spring’s arrival, catching the attention of many individuals.
During the summer, mountain bluebirds tend to feast on insects. However, when winter comes around, they switch their diet to primarily eating berries like juniper, Russian-olive, elderberry, and a variety of fruit seeds including mistletoe and grape.
If you’re lucky, you might witness the hatching of an egg if a nest is built in your backyard during breeding season. Unfortunately, due to deforestation and harmful agricultural practices, Mountain bluebirds are unable to live in or make their own cavities. Fortunately, consolidation methods like building a neoprene box have helped solve this problem.
Although they may seem cute and lovable, it’s important to note that these creatures can sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior. Take a look at the image below for proof. Despite their popularity, studies from the North American Breeding Bird Survey have revealed that their population has declined by approximately 26% since 1966.
It is estimated that there are about 4.6 million individuals of this species all around the world. During the winter season, around 31% of them can be found in Mexico, while approximately 20% breed in Canada. The rest of the year, about 80% of these birds can be spotted in the United States.