Western Bluebirds are blue birds with orange chests. They are very social small stocky thrushes that are shiny blue on the back and rust-orange on the breast and across the upper back in the males.
Females are not so bright and instead, they are a dull buff-gray, with pale orange on the breast and blue tints to the wings and tail.
- Sialia mexicana
- Length: 6.3 – 7.5 in (16 – 19 cm)
- Weight: 0.8 – 1.1 oz (24 – 31 g)
- Wingspan: 11.4 – 13.4 in (29 – 34 cm)
Range
Western Bluebirds are found in western US states and do not usually migrate. However, some birds in the far northwest may migrate south or to lower elevations.
Habitat And Diet
You can find Western Bluebirds in woodlands rather than open areas, and they are readily found in areas that have dead trees, such as burned forests and logged areas.
In summer, Western Bluebirds eat insects such as caterpillars, beetles, and ants, as well as spiders and snails, or other ground-dwelling insects. In winter, Western Bluebirds eat fruit such as elderberry, grapes, mistletoe, raspberries, blackberries, sumac, and juniper.
Western Bluebird Songs:
Nests
Nests of Western Bluebirds are usually located within tree holes or cavities. Trees may be live or dead and the cavities are natural or excavated by woodpeckers or other animals. Both adults look for nesting sites together but the females are the ones who actually do all the construction.
They gather grasses, pine needles, moss, and other plant materials and use these to line the tree cavity. Then they will lay two to eight eggs which take about twelve to seventeen days to hatch.
Attract Western Bluebirds
Attract them to your yard by offering mealworms in summer and put up a nest box. Also, plant berry plants such as elderberry, raspberries, and juniper.
Fun Fact:
There are times when Western Bluebirds have helpers taking care of their young at the nests. This happens when these helper birds’ own nests have failed.
