Western Bluebird
From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
 Adult male
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| Sialia mexicana |
The Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a medium-sized thrush.
Adults have a grey belly. Adult males are bright blue on top and on the throat with a red breast; they have a brown patch on their back. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, a brownish breast and a grey crown, throat and back.
Their breeding habitat is semi-open country across western North America, but not desert areas. They nest in cavities or in nest boxes, competing with Tree Swallows, House Sparrows, and European Starlings for natural nesting locations.
Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents.
These birds wait on a perch and fly down to catch insects, sometimes catching them in midair. They mainly eat insects and berries.
[edit] Interesting Western Bluebird Facts
According to genetic studies, 45% of Western Bluebirds nests carried young that were not offsprings of the male partner. In fact, Western Bluebirds are also helped by other birds belonging to a different specie altogether. Swallows have been seen feeding and defending the nests of Western Bluebirds.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Sialia mexicana. 2006
- Interesting Western Bluebird Facts donated by BirdHouses101.com
[edit] External links
- Western Bluebird page at Cornell
- Western Bluebird by John Audubon
- Western Bluebird videos on the Internet Bird Collection