# Mountain Bluebird (*Sialia currucoides*) The Mountain Bluebird is a beautiful bird with bright blue feathers. They love to sing and can often be seen flying high in the sky, especially in open areas. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 34 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Mountain Bluebird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mountain_Bluebird.jpg&width=800) Photo: Elaine R. Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mountain_Bluebird.jpg) ## Appearance The Mountain Bluebird is known for its stunning sky-blue plumage, particularly bright on males. Females are a duller grey-blue, with more blue on their wings and tail. They lack the rusty-orange breast seen on other bluebird species, making them uniquely vibrant. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Turdidae - **Genus:** Sialia ## Interesting facts - Mountain Bluebirds are the official state bird of Idaho and Nevada. Wow! - Sometimes they dart out from perches to catch flying insects right in the air. - Their dazzling blue color comes from how light hits their feathers, not blue pigment! - They often gather in large flocks during winter, sometimes hundreds strong. ## Special abilities - **Hover Hunt:** Mountain Bluebird can hover in mid-air because of their strong wings, which helps them spot insects on the ground. - **Cavity Keeper:** Mountain Bluebird has a knack for finding old tree hollows or nest boxes that helps them keep their eggs and chicks safe. - **Feather Shield:** Mountain Bluebird has special dense feathers that helps them stay warm and survive cold mountain temperatures. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-18 cm - **Wingspan:** 28-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.028-0.035 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 13-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These adaptable birds enjoy a mix of insects in summer and tasty berries when it gets cold. - **Age differences:** Young chicks are fed only insects by their parents, but adults eat both insects and fruits seasonally. - **Primary Foods:** Grasshoppers, Beetles, Caterpillars, Spiders, Juniper berries, Elderberries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** American Grasshopper (*Schistocerca americana*) — a common insect prey for these bluebirds - **Eats:** [Common Juniper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-juniper) (*Juniperus communis*) — provides important winter berries for food - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — a fast raptor that hunts bluebirds - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — sometimes preys on eggs or chicks in nests ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mountain Bluebird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Mountain Bluebird? 15-18 cm ### What is Mountain Bluebird's wingspan? 28-35 cm ### How much does Mountain Bluebird weigh? 0.028-0.035 kg ### How long does Mountain Bluebird live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Mountain Bluebird move? 48 km/h ### What does Mountain Bluebird eat? These adaptable birds enjoy a mix of insects in summer and tasty berries when it gets cold. ### Where is Mountain Bluebird usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [Bryce Canyon Lodge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-lodge-historic-district) — Utah, US · Historic District - [Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Trails Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-national-park-scenic-trails-historic-district) — Utah, US · Trail - [Mormon Row Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mormon-row-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [North Entrance Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-entrance-road-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/strattons-independence-mine-and-mill) — Colorado, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Mountain Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mountain-bluebird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Mountain Bluebird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-bluebird)