Blue Bird
· Eastern Blue Bird
· Western Blue Bird
· Mountain Blue Bird
· Blue Bird Habitat
· Blue Bird Food
· Blue Bird Nesting
· Blue Bird Birdhouse
· Blue Bird House

Western Blue Bird

The Western Blue Bird, Sialia mexicana, is one of three Blue Bird species. The other two are the Eastern Blue Bird(Sialia sialis) and the Mountain Blue Bird (Sialia currucoides). All Blue Birds are native to the Americas and belong to the genus Sialia in the family Turdidae.

Western Blue Bird range

The Western Blue Bird has a large range and is found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Western Blue Birds who spend the summer season in the northern parts of North America migrates to the south to avoid the cold winters.

Western Blue Bird description

Adult males are characterized by a bright blue coloration on the top of their body and on the throat, hence the name Blue Bird. An adult male will also display a vivid red breast and a brown patch on his back. The female Western Blue Bird has a duller, more camouflaging coloration with drab blue wings and tail. Her breast is brownish and her throat, back and crown are all grey. Both males and females have grey bellies. 

Western Blue Bird feeding

The Western Blue Bird feeds on insects and berries. If you watch a wild Blue Bird, you can see how it likes to sit on a perch before rapidly flying down to catch an insect. 

Western Blue Bird breeding

The typical Western Blue Bird breeding habitat is located in western North America and consists of semi-open landscapes. Western Blue Birds do not live in the desert. Traditionally, they nest in natural cavities, but the Western Blue Birds of today happily use man-made nest boxes as well. If there are few suitable nesting places in an area they have to compete with birds such as House Sparrows and European Starlings. If you want to help your native species, the best method is to provide them with nest boxes.

A very interesting genetic study showed that 45% of the nests were cared for by a male Western Blue Bird that was not the father of the young ones. Even more surprisingly, swallows turned up to feed the offspring of Western Blue Birds and defend the nests.

Western Blue Bird conservation

The current Western Blue Bird population is estimated to be approximately 1,400,000 individuals. The species is included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but only listed as Lower risk (Least Concern). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species places threatened and extinct species into six different groups.