Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Mountain Bluebird
Merlebleu azuré
Sialia currucoides
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
Species: Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a western bluebird species. The male is recognized by its all blue body, except for an area of white in the rump region. These birds feed by perching in open areas, pouncing upon an insect, when given the opportunity, or using their long wings to hawk flying insects in mid-air.
Distinctions: Sexually dimorphic, the male has an dark blue body, except for a local white patch on the lower breast and rump. Different from other bluebird species, who all show parts of orange in their plumage. The female has a greyish-blue plumage, as does the juveniles as well, again difference from other female bluebird species, who show light brown and oranges in their plumage.
Voice: A low warbling song, quiet on most occasions.
Nesting: Five to six pale blue eggs, two broods per year. The Mountain Bluebird nest in tree cavities. There has been a noticeable increase in their population numbers, because of the many bird houses, now being installed in their breeding grounds. These birds may be seen near forest edges or fields, where they have access to their food source in open areas.
Life, Habitat & Pictures of North America Bluebirds
| B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.25" 18.4cm | 14" 35.5cm | 1.0 oz 28.4g | Turdidae | Sialia currucoides |
North American Birds Calls
- Click here to hear Choice 1
- Summer
- Year Around
- Winter
Distribution: Seen in the southern regions of Alaska, across the Canadian prairies to Saskatchewan, down to California and over to the southern boundaries of Texas. Like other bluebird species, the Mountain Bluebird will nest in bird houses. It is not an uncommon sight, to see them perched on fence lines, next to roads and highways, occupying a local bird house.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
