|
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)
uses birdhouses
|
uses wildlife trees
|
FIELD MARKS
The
male and female Mountain Bluebird are distinctly different. Females have
smokey-grey upperparts and pale-brown underparts with a little bit of
pale blue on their tail, rump, and wings. Males have bright-blue upperparts
with a lighter-blue belly. They are paler than the Western Bluebird and
also do not have any reddish markings. Approximate length:15 cm
FOOD
This bluebird feeds mainly on insects and berries.
HABITAT
Mountain Bluebirds prefer open country even more than Western Bluebirds.
They live in woodland openings and edges, rangeland, areas of logged forests
with standing snags, farm fields, meadows and pastures with perching sites
such as fence posts and powerlines. The Mountain Bluebird is migratory.
NESTING
The Mountain Bluebird nests in natural cavities in trees, abandoned woodpecker
holes, crevices of rock cliffs and birdhouses. Its cup-shaped nests are
built by both female and male, out of grass, feathers, plant fibres and
other fine, soft material. The female lays 5-8 pale-blue eggs.
STATUS
Population is increasing slightly due to the Bluebird Nestbox Trails in
British Columbia.
DISTRIBUTION
|
|
