Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
Because they cannot excavate their own nest holes, they rely entirely on abandoned woodpecker cavities or human-made nest boxes.
- Scientific name
- Sialia mexicana
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Turdidae › Sialia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Open woodlands, oak savannas, forest edges, burned forests, and agricultural areas.
- Diet
- Insects like beetles, caterpillars, and ants in spring and summer; berries and seeds during winter.
- Range
- Western United States, Mexico, Southwestern Canada
- Size
- Length: 15-18 cm, Wingspan: 29-34 cm, Weight: 24-31 g
- Lifespan
- 1 to 6 years in the wild
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of natural nesting cavities due to dead tree removal, and competition for nest sites from invasive starlings and house sparrows.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and peaceful. Observe from a respectful distance of 10-15 feet, especially near nesting sites. Do not disturb active nests. If you find an injured bird, contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
The western bluebird ( Sialia mexicana ) is a small thrush, about 15 to 18 cm (5.9 to 7.1 in) in length. Adult males are bright blue on top and on the throat with an orange breast and sides, a brownish patch on back, and a gray belly and undertail coverts. Adult females have a duller blue body, wings, and tail than the male, a gray throat, a dull orange breast, and a gray belly and undertail coverts. Immature western...
Photo: Jonathan Eisen, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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