Mountain Bluebird
Sialia currucoides
Mountain Bluebirds are 'hover-hunters,' a unique trait among bluebirds where they remain stationary in the air while scanning the ground for prey.
- Scientific name
- Sialia currucoides
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Turdidae › Sialia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open mountain meadows, sagebrush steppe, and high-altitude grasslands above 5,000 feet.
- Diet
- Insectivorous during summer (beetles, grasshoppers, crickets); consumes berries and small fruits in winter.
- Range
- Western United States, Western Canada, Alaska, Central Mexico
- Size
- Length: 16-20 cm; Weight: 27-35 g
- Lifespan
- 4 to 6 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Climate change affecting insect availability, loss of natural nesting cavities, and competition with invasive House Sparrows.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and beneficial. Observe from a distance of 15-20 feet to avoid disturbing foraging. If you encounter a nest, do not touch the eggs or chicks; humans should simply enjoy their vibrant plumage and aerial acrobatics.
The mountain bluebird ( Sialia currucoides ) is a medium-sized bird weighing about 30 g (1.1 oz) with a length from 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in). They have light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills and are bright turquoise-blue and somewhat lighter underneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, grey breast, grey crown, throat and back. In fresh fall plumage, the female's throat and breast are tinged with red-orange, brownish near the flank contrasting with white tail underparts....
Photo: Josiah Londerée, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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