mountain bluebird

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Mountain Bluebird
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Turdidae
Genus:	Sialia
Species:	S. currucoides
Binomial name
Sialia currucoides (Bechstein, 1798)
Range

This species can be a powder blue also or be like the above right image with a white chest.

The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a medium-sized bird weighing about an ounce, with a length from 15–20 cm (6–8 in). They have light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills. They are bright blue and somewhat lighter beneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail,fake grey breast, grey crown, throat and back.

Distribution and habitat

The Mountain Bluebird is migratory. Their range varies from Mexico in the winter to as far north as Alaska, throughout the western U.S. and Canada. Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents. Some birds may move to lower elevations in winter.

Feeding

These birds hover over the ground and fly down to catch insects, also flying from a perch to catch them. They mainly eat insects and berries. They may forage in flocks in winter, when they mainly eat grasshoppers.

Breeding

Their breeding habitat is open country across western North America, including mountain areas, as far north as Alaska. They nest in pre-existing cavities or in nest boxes. In remote areas, these birds are less affected by competition for natural nesting locations than other bluebirds. Females usually build the nests themselves.

It is the state bird of Idaho and Nevada.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sialia currucoides

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Sialia currucoides. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• All About Birds: Mountain Bluebird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Mountain_Bluebird.html

• Mountain Bluebird Information and Photos South Dakota Birds and Birding

External links

• Mountain Bluebird Information and Awareness