Male Western Bluebird, *Image by Mary Forrestal*

No matter how many times you’ve seen one before, there isn’t a more beautiful site than to see a Western Bluebird perched on a park fence. They seem at home in the suburban park setting.

Western Bluebirds, along with American Robins and Hermit Thrushes, are members of the Thrush family. Like many thrushes, they are social birds. Except when nesting, flocks of Western Bluebirds are often seen feeding together. Their year-round range is from California, into the southern Rocky Mountains, Arizona, and New Mexico in the Untied States and most of Mexico. Their breeding range extends up to the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Montana. Depending on how far north they were nesting, some Western Bluebirds do migrate to warmer areas in the winter. It is interesting that, unlike most songbirds which migrate during the night, Western Bluebirds migrate mainly in the daytime!

What does the Western Bluebird look like?

The Western Bluebird male and female look a little different from each other. Like many birds, the male has more pronounced or bolder feather color. Male birds have bright blue colored wings, heads, throats, as well as part of their backs. Males also have a deep rust-orange color on their chest and shoulder areas along with a gray belly. Female Western Bluebirds are also blue and orange; but their color is duller overall. Females lack the bright blue feathers on their heads and throats that males have. Western Bluebirds have short tails and have thin, straight bills. Young or juvenile birds look quite different from their parents. They are brown and gray, with blue only on their tails and part of their wings. Juveniles also have light colored spots on both their chests and backs.

Where do Western Bluebirds live?

Western Bluebirds nest in “cavities” or holes. Unfortunately, their bills aren’t able to dig the holes that they need for nesting. So, frequently Western Bluebirds will use cavities made by woodpeckers in the past. They seek holes in both live and dead trees. Western Bluebirds also nest in man-made boxes or other man-made holes. Once a pair has chose a nesting site, the females do most of the work to construct the nest inside.

What do Western Bluebirds eat?

Western Bluebirds like to eat both insects primarily in summer and rely more on fruits and berries in the winter. They like the berries of mistletoe, juniper, and elderberry. Western Bluebirds will perch on low tree limbs or fences and then jump down when they spot an insect to eat. They are also seen catching insects in mid-air and looking for insects inside tree canopies.

Female Western Bluebird with Bug, *Image by Mary Forrestal*

What do Western Bluebirds sound like?

The call of the Western Bluebird is a strong, low-toned whistle sound. Their song is not heard as often and is actually just a series of their call notes! You can listen to both the call and the song of the Western Bluebird now:

These songs and calls of the Western Bluebird are from xeno-canto. More Western Bluebird vocalizations can be found at xeno-canto.org/species/Sialia-mexicana.