Bluebird, Western
Sialia mexicanaL 7–7.25 inches.
Colorful bird that perches on wires and branches, scanning for insectprey; also eats berries. Nests in tree holes and uses nest boxes. Sexesare dissimilar.
ADULT MALE Has mostly deep blue upperparts including head and neck, with clear demarcation from orange-red breast and flanks; note orange-brown scapulars. Underparts are whitish with bluish wash on center of belly and undertail.
ADULT FEMALE Recalls drab version of male, with gray-brown head, neck, and back, palest on throat. Has bluish flight feathers and tail and orange wash to breast and flanks; underparts are otherwise pale gray-buff.
JUVENILE Overall brown with pale spots on upperparts and scaly-looking underparts.
VOICE Song, heard mainly at dawn, is a series of call notes chut’t and chew.
STATUS AND HABITAT Scarce summer visitor (mainly Apr–Aug) to north of range; resident or winter visitor further south. Favors open woodland. Numbers reduced by habitat loss and nest competition with European Starling and House Sparrow. Nest-box schemes help restore numbers.
OBSERVATION TIPS Visit an area with nest boxes.
Return to two-page spread from Birds of Western North America