Most facts taken from Peterson's Western Birds and Western Birds' Nest Field Guides.

Size: 6 1/2- 7"

Description: Larger, fatter than a sparrow. Head, throat, wings and tail are bright blue. Chest and part of back is rust red. The female is paler in color with a grayer throat and belly. Juveniles are grayish with some blue in the wings and tail, speckled and lacking rust color.

Similar species: Mountain Bluebirds have a blue chest and are less commonly seen.

Habitat: Open coniferous forests, brush, deserts, roadsides.

Range: Breeds from British Columbia, western U.S. to mountains in central Mexico.

Song: A short pew or mew. Chattering note when communicating with each other or as a distress call.

Diet: Insects. Birders have observed Western bluebirds at suet feeders.

Nest: In a natural cavity, building cavity or nest box. Nest is made with grasses and forb stalks. Inner cup lined with finer grasses. Female builds the nest while male accompanies her.

Eggs: Commonly 4-6 which average 20.8 x 16.2 mm. Eggs are oval with a smooth glossy shell. Pale blue to bluish white and sometimes white in color.

Incubation: Female incubates for 2 weeks. 2 broods.

Chicks: From the time they hatch to the time they fledge is approximately 21 days.

Mating: Bluebirds generally mate the year after they hatch. Often, they are less than one year old. Most Western Bluebirds mate for life.

Notes: Author has observed male feeding female at the mealworm feeder and at the nest box during her incubation time at the James Reserve.

-Sheri Lubin

Trailfinders Lodge Laboratory

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