Page created on : March 8, 2000
Last updated : August 29, 2004

The mountain bluebird is a member of the thrush family. Its lovely cerulean blue paints the mountains and fields of central and western Canada in spring and summer. During the colder months they are commonly found in Mexico and southern Texas.

They are distinguished from the eastern and western bluebirds by a paler colour and by the lack of any reddish brown on the breast of the male. Males are slightly larger than a house sparrow and are predominantly blue, while the smaller female are smoky gray with the occasional blue tinge. Their song is a low and pleasant warble.

The mountain bluebirds prefer open country and the edge of woodlands. They eat insects and small fruits, and nest in natural cavities in trees, abandoned woodpecker holes, rock crevices and on rural buildings.