Western Bluebird

Our summer residents include two species of bluebirds: mountain and western.

An April posting delighted in views of the Mountain Bluebird. We are near the centre of its breeding range, so we see both those that are migrating past us as they head farther north, and those that stay here for the season.

We are near the northern edge of the breeding range of the Western Bluebird. This means that we see fewer of them, but those that come are here to stay and breed. 

Fans of both species of bluebirds offer them nesting boxes as incentives for them to stay, and one of these provided the setting for these shots of a Western Bluebird couple attending to its chicks.

The Western Bluebird is plumper than the Mountain Bluebird. But unlike the latter, its indigo blue is accented by a rusty breast and back. This male has brought a bug to feed its chicks. Bugs might be caught on the ground or in the air.

The female Western Bluebird has more muted colours. This one has brought a grub for her chicks, but she first flies to a spot adjacent to the nest, apparently to check for watching predators, before making the revealing flight to the nest. Her left leg shows that she has been banded.

There are almost endless comings and goings throughout the day as each parent ferries food to its chicks and removes faeces. Here the male bringing a bug has to wait while the female removes a faecal sac. This aspect of bird parenting is reminiscent of diaper changing. Previously, I have shown this behaviour with the nuthatch, both dipper and swallow, and the robin.

“I’m off to find more food for my voracious chicks — this is really endless.”