Description
The male bird is turquoise-blue,
paler below; belly whitish. The female bird is
dull gray with a touch of blue on rump, tail
and wings.
The State Bird
Of: Idaho
and Nevada
Size: 7” (18cm)
Voice: The song of the
Mountain Bluebird is a series of low, burry
whistles like call jerrf jerrf jewr jipo jerrf.
Call is a soft whistle similar to other
bluebirds but thinner and clearer: feeer or a
mellow, muffled perf, always descending; also a
short, harsh chik or chak.
Distribution &
Habitat
The Mountain Bluebird can
be found in open rangelands, meadows, generally
at elevations above 5,000 feet; in winter is
found primarily in open lowlands in the desert.
They are found in Alaska, Western Canada to
Southwestern United States.
Feeding Habits
The Mountain Bluebird’s diet consists of
insects and berries. When bluebirds are young,
they are fed insects.
Breeding & Nesting
Habits
Mountain Bluebirds are cavity nesters so they
rely on natural holes in trees, old woodpeckers
holes and man-made birdhouses. The female
selects the cavity and both the male and female
build a losse cup next with stems, grass and
twings lined with softer materials including
hair or feathers. The female lays and incubates
5 to 6 eggs which are bluish white in colour.
Both parents feed the young, which fledge
within 2½ to 3 weeks of hatching. The parents
continue to tend the young for another 3 to 4
weeks, after which they lay a second
brood.
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