![]() ![]() They stay low to the ground to swoop down on unsuspecting insect.ĭiet – Similar to the Eastern, the Western bluebird fuels eats mainly insects during warmer months. Their established areas are more prone to host ponderosa pines, conifers, junipers or aspens. ![]() Habitat – Western bluebirds also tend to live in open woodlands, often in trees grounded by fires or logging, although they are less frequently seen. Their wingspan is slightly longer than the Eastern variety at 11.4-13.4”. They are sparrow sized with an average weight of about one ounce and a length of 6.3-7.5”. The lower belly on both sexes is grayish-blue. ![]() Females are gray buff with an orange wash over their breasts and tinges of blue to the wings and tail. Traits of the Western BluebirdĪppearance – Like their Eastern counterparts, Western bluebirds have bright, deep blue backs and wings. On occasional they will eat suet, peanut pieces, raisins, currants, or grapes. When bugs become scarce in winter, their diet switches to berries such as juniper, and fruit. Offering mealworms in your feeder is an excellent way to attract these beauties as they are not fond of standard bird seed mixes. Perching on fences or low tree branches allows them to swoop down and hover to collect their treat or use a “hawking” technique of catching their prey in the air. They also enjoy perching on fences, telephone poles or medium sized trees.ĭiet – 68% of a bluebird’s diet consists of insects such as crickets, spiders, grasshoppers and caterpillars. They prefer clear cut forests and live along the forest edge. ![]() Habitat– Eastern bluebirds live in places with an open canopy such as meadows, pastures, semi-open woodlands or large mowed lawns. Click here to view the beautiful colors while listening to an Eastern bluebird singing. They have white throats with faded orange breasts, continuing onto the sides of the neck. Weighing in at about one ounce and ranging in length from 6.3-8.3” with a wingspan of 9.8-12.6”, they can reach speeds of up to 17mph when in flight.įemale Eastern bluebirds display more muted bluish-gray colors along their backs and heads with tinges of blue on their wings and tail for a subtle yet elegant look. Blue tinges in the wings and tail give the grayer females an elegant look. They have white bellies and a slightly larger bill than the other two species. Traits of the Eastern BluebirdĪppearance – Male Eastern bluebirds boast vibrant, deep blue backs, wings, and heads with orange breasts with an orange throat. This species is more likely to be spotted out of its range than the other two. They may travel as far north as Alaska for breeding and winter in central Mexico. Migrating flocks of 20-200 Mountain bluebirds travel short to medium distances during migration. The third bluebird species can be found throughout the Rockies and other mountains of the west and have been observed at elevations up to 12,500 ft during the breeding season. Keep watch as bluebirds tend to migrate during the day. Those in areas with mountains may fly to warmer elevations down the slope. Some Western bluebirds may travel as far north as British Columbia. Where the eastern range ends, the western picks up extending from the Rockies to the Pacific coast. Eastern Bluebird Range Map How to attract and identify bluebirds. ![]()
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