Western Bluebird
A species of Bluebirds Scientific name : Sialia mexicana Genus : Bluebirds
Western Bluebird, A species of Bluebirds
Botanical name: Sialia mexicana
Genus: Bluebirds
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The colorful western Bluebird lives on the edge of coniferous and deciduous forests, usually in hollowed-out trees where there is plenty of room to perch; these birds will become especially territorial over nesting areas but are relaxed otherwise. Interestingly, nesting western Bluebirds have been documented receiving help from other birds of the species, most likely unintentionally.
Size
18 - 20 cm
Life Expectancy
4 years
Nest Placement
Cavity
Clutch Size
2 - 8 eggs
Incubation Period
1 - 3 broods
Number of Broods
12 - 17 days
Nestling Period
18 - 25 days
Feeding Habits
Western Bluebird's diet shifts seasonally: insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars, and beetles in summer; berries and seeds, still supplemented with insects, in winter. They also consume spiders, snails, and occasionally marine invertebrates. They favor elderberries, grapes, and other berries.
Habitat
Western Bluebird inhabit open woodland territories, favoring the edges of both evergreen and deciduous forests, with a notable preference for ponderosa and pinyon pine-juniper stands, as well as aspen groves. Adaptability has led them to thrive also in disturbed areas such as burned or logged forests retaining dead trees for nesting. Ranging from sea level to mountainous regions, western Bluebird occupy diverse altitudes and climates throughout the West. For winter, they select pinyon-juniper woodlands, mesquite stands, streamside forests, coastal chaparral, and even desert environments, stretching from central Mexico to the Pacific Northwest and Montana.
Nest Behavior
The male and female western Bluebird pair inspect potential nesting sites together. Nest building, primarily done by the female, can complete the first nest of the season in about two weeks, with subsequent nests taking less than a week.
Nest Characteristics
Western Bluebird typically nest in pre-existing cavities within trees of various species, sometimes enlarged by other animals or previously used by woodpeckers. They also adapt to nest boxes and infrequently in man-made structures or swallow nests. The female constructs the nest predominantly from gathered grasses, straw, pine needles, moss, plant fibers, and animal fur, lining it with grasses, rootlets, feathers, hair, and occasionally synthetic materials. The cavity nest lacks the uniform shape of cup nests due to its location.
Dite type
Insectivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Sounds
Call
Recording location: United States
Song
Recording location: United States
Behavior
Western Bluebird exhibit a combination of both communal and territorial behaviors. They are known for perching conspicuously on low branches or posts, watching attentively for insects on the ground before swooping down to feed. Western Bluebird engage in social flocking outside the breeding season, mingling with other bird species. However, fierce competition for nesting cavities in tree trunks can arise, often leading to dynamic interactions with a variety of other cavity-nesting birds. Monogamy is generally observed, although breeding can involve complex social dynamics, as a substantial number of offspring are sired by males outside the pair bond. Furthermore, western Bluebird display cooperative breeding behavior, with non-breeding adults, often males, assisting in raising the young—a behavior not commonly seen in all bird species.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Thrushes Genus
Bluebirds Species
Western Bluebird 
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