The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is recognized as the official state bird of Idaho. The Mountain Bluebird has been designated as the official state bird of not one but two distinct states; these states are Idaho and Nevada. Both Idaho in 1931 and Nevada in 1967 picked the same species of bird as their state bird. Students from elementary schools around the state participated in a poll to choose which of many eligible species of birds should be the official state bird of Idaho. The Mountain Bluebird came out on top, beating out other potential contenders, including the Western Tanager. On February 28, 1931, with assistance from the governor, the state legislature officially acknowledged the Mountain Bluebird as the Idaho State Bird.
Where Does the State Bird of Idaho (mountain bluebird) found?
Mountain Bluebirds have a migratory range that encompasses the whole of Idaho in the United States. The Idaho Conservation League reports that these brightly colored birds begin to arrive in the state as early as the end of February or the beginning of March and do not depart for their wintering grounds until the late fall or early fall of the following year.
The Mountain Bluebird has a breeding range that stretches all the way from western Canada to New Mexico also Arizona, all of which are permanent home states for the species. Their winter range extends southward, across the southwestern United States and most of Mexico, reaching almost all the way to City of Mexico in the south.
Typically, the Mountain Bluebird will make its home at altitudes ranging from around 3,200 feet up to approximately 12,000 feet. It is most common in open areas like meadows and grasslands, as well as shrublands, steppes, forest margins, and fencerows. Wide-open places are its preferred habitat. They have an excellent capacity for human activity, and as a result, they are often seen in gardens and other urban areas, especially in locations wherein nest boxes have been given for them to use.
What is the Physical Appearance of Idaho State Bird?
It’s not hard to find Idaho’s official state bird. The brilliantly blue Mountain Bluebird is one of the most easily identified species of bird found in North America. These small to medium- songbirds belong to the Turdidae family and other birds that are related to thrushes. Their length ranges from around 6 to 7 inches. They have long tails and lengthy wings, with wingspans that range between around 12 and 15 inches. They feature slim black legs and feet, as well as thin black bills that are perfectly straight.
Although male and female Mountain Bluebirds are nearly the same size, there is clear sex differences in the plumage of the two sexes of this species. The males are a brilliant blue that ranges from cerulean to turquoise and have lighter sky-blue throats and breasts along with white undersides. They have dark eyes with a narrow eye line that is gray in color and surrounds the eyes. The females of this species have gray plumage of heads, backs, necks, and breasts, as well as turquoise feathers on their tails and wings, and their undersides near the tail are white. In the autumn, their breast and flank feathers may take on a brown to reddish-brown hue, depending on the species.
Are Mountain Bluebirds Rare?
No, within its native habitat, Idaho’s state bird is neither scarce nor threatened with extinction. They are commonly found.
Why Mountain Blue Birds Are the Favorite Species of Many Bird Enthusiasts?
Mountain Bluebirds are a popular species among amateur ornithologists and those who keep bird feeders in their backyards because they have become so well adapted to coexisting with human populations. They quickly utilize boxes for nesting, and they often returned to the same nest places year after year even if they have moved.
This species does go south from Idaho to warmer climates during the winter, but they make their way back to the state quite quickly in the spring. Mountain Bluebirds may choose to live in your neighborhood for their whole lives if you provide them with an accessible and safe site to nest.
What Is the Diet of Idaho State Bird?
The Mountain Bluebird is a member of the omnivorous family. In the spring and summer, the majority of their diet consists of insects. Mountain Bluebirds are skilled predators that are able to readily capture animals when flying, while perched on foliage, or while foraging on the ground. Because of the length of their wings, they are able to hover in place and then quickly pounce on their prey. They consume a wide variety of insects, such as, flies, beetles, grasshoppers, and others of their kind. Mountain Bluebirds migrate south during the winter, where they find warmer climates and a diet that includes a greater proportion of fruit, such as juniper berries, in addition to various kinds of seeds.
Mountain Bluebirds have a low level of fear of people, which helps them get used to feeding from feeders quite quickly. This species performs far better at open feeding stations than in enclosed ones. Mealworms and pieces of suet are delicious treats to give them as gifts. This type of food offers a significant quantity of protein, which is particularly important during the winter months when there are fewer insects to eat. You may want to think about putting these snacks in bird feeders that have bowls and covers so that bigger birds and squirrels won’t be able to get to them.
Where Does the State Bird of Idaho Nest?
Mountain Bluebirds are able to locate several good nesting locations over the whole state of Idaho. They may do so in a variety of different tiny areas that are sheltered from the elements, such as holes drilled into trees by woodpeckers, cracks in rocks, or in any number of other natural or manmade structures. This species, in particular, has a strong preference for breeding in nest boxes, and they are known to reuse the same nest box year after year in order to rear their young.
The Idaho State Bird may be seen returning to its nesting grounds as early as the end of the month of February. This early arrival appears to be vital to the survival of Mountain Bluebirds because it allows them to secure nest sites before other species that compete for those locations arrive in the vicinity. After a location for a nest has been selected, it is customary for the female to be the one in charge of its construction, while the male of the species is responsible for providing vigilant protection for the territory.
How Many Eggs Mountain Bluebird Lay?
The Mountain Bluebird mates twice a year, once in the summer and once in the spring, and produces one or two clutches of eggs each year. On average, each clutch will produce between four and five eggs but may produce as many as 6-8 eggs. Eggs laid by Mountain Bluebirds may be either pale blue or creamy white, but an individual bird will never produce a mixture of the two hues. Approximately 14 to 18 days are spent by the females incubating the eggs. After that, both of the birds’ parents continue to provide nourishment and care for the young until they are ready to leave the nest, which typically occurs between 18 and 24 days after the eggs are laid.
What Are Amazing Facts About Mountain Bluebirds Facts?
- The mountain bluebird is the official state bird of Idaho and Nevada. Some Native Americans consider the feathers to be sacred symbols.
- Because of its unusually brilliant blue plumage, individuals of this species are sometimes referred to as “the bluest of the bluebirds.” The ultramarine bluebird and Arctic bluebird are two of the more prevalent names for this bird.
- Eastern and western mountain bluebirds, as well as the more distantly related mountain bluebird, are both capable of producing hybrid offspring with one another.
- The mountain bluebird is a member of the Turdidae family, which also includes all other known thrushes.
Who Feeds the Young One?
Young birds in a nest are fed by both parents. After being cared for by their parents for 18–24 days after hatching, the young finally go out into the world. It has two broods a year.
What Is the Conservation Status of Mountain Bluebirds?
According to the IUCN, mountain bluebirds are rather widespread and need only the “least concern” rating for conservation efforts. Despite this, there was a 26% drop in population from 1966 to 2014. There may be less open spaces, which mountain bluebirds enjoy since logging and grazing businesses have declined and wildfires have been suppressed. Canada is home to 20% of the world’s breeding population, which puts its total at 4.6 million. Canada provides a safe haven for its citizens.
