9 Species Of Bluebirds That Are Common In Colorado

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Mountain Bluebird

9 Species Of Bluebirds That Are Common In Colorado – See Their Info | Petsdairy.com

 

Skiing and the state’s stunning scenery are two of Colorado’s most popular attractions, drawing visitors from all over the world as well as its citizens.

Because of the large number of different bird species that can be found there, it is an excellent location for people who enjoy going bird watching.

The state is home to more than 511 different kinds of birds, all of which come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. This article is going to take a look at nine different species of birds that can be found in the state, all of which have blue feathers or bodies.


1.) Black-Throated Blue Warbler

  • Scientific name: Setophaga caerulescens
  • Length of the body: Around 13 millimeters (5.1 inches)
  • Weight: 8.4-12.4 grams approximately (0.30-0.44 ounces)
  • The wingspan: 19–20 cm (7.5-7.9 inches)
  • Lifespan: Approximately ten years.
  • Diet: Omnivore, insectivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.

The Black-throated Blue Warbler is a small passerine bird that is a member of the family of New World Warblers. Its diet consists primarily of insects.

black-throated blue warbler

The Black-throated Blue Warbler possesses a notable sexual dimorphism, as may be seen in the accompanying description. The mature males have white underparts, a dark blue back, and a black face, neck, throat, and flanks.

In contrast, their upper parts and backs are a dark blue color. The young males look very similar to their adult counterparts, with the exception that their upper parts are green rather than blue.

The upper parts of female Black-throated Blue Warblers have an olive-brown coloration, while their wings and tails are dark. Their underparts are a pale yellow color, and they have brown spots on their faces in addition to a crown that is a grayish color.

The Black-throated Blue Warbler is a species of migratory bird that spends its breeding season in mature temperate deciduous forests or mixed deciduous-coniferous forests that have dense undergrowth.

Its range extends from the southeastern United States to northern Mexico. During the summer months, it is possible to spot these birds nesting in the mountains of the south-eastern United States and the north-eastern Canadian provinces.

The beginning of their migration season occurs in the late summer when they make their way to the Greater Antilles. There, they spend the winter in forested tropical areas.

When it comes to their diet, Black-throated Blue Warblers primarily consume insects; it is only during the winter months that they turn to eating fruits, seeds, and berries.

Their primary sources of nutrition come from caterpillars, crane flies, and spiders. Both males and females tend to look for food in distinctively diverse regions.


2.) Western Bluebird

  • Scientific name: Sialia mexicana
  • The length of the body: Between 15 and 18 cm (5.9-7.1 inches)
  • Weight: 24-31 grams (0.84-1.09 ounces)
  • The wingspan: 30-33 centimeters (11.1-12.9 inches)
  • Lifespan: Around 6 years.
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.

Western Bluebirds are members of the thrush family and can only be found in their native habitat in North America. These birds are small.

western bluebird

The Western Bluebird is a small but stocky bird that has a short tail and a thin, straight bill. They can be found throughout the western United States.

These birds exhibit sexual dimorphism in their appearance. The heads and necks of the adult males are a bright blue color, and they have a brown patch on their backs.

Orange can be seen on the upper breast and flanks, while a grayish color can be seen on the belly and under the coverts of the tail.

Although like the males, the bodies of the females are blue, the color is not as vibrant as that of the males. They have an orange coloration on their breasts, however, their throat and bellies are gray.

When compared to their parents, the juveniles have a duller appearance, and they have spots on their chest and back.

It is not known very much about the native habitat of Western Bluebirds; nevertheless, it is known that these birds have evolved to the point that they can now live in semi-open terrains, farmlands, coniferous woods, and even deserts.

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Their range is also unknown in great detail. They have a large breeding range, which extends from Oaxaca and Veracruz in Mexico to Arizona, California, New Mexico, and the southern Rocky Mountains in the United States.

In Mexico, they can be found in Oaxaca and Veracruz. The population of Western Bluebirds that lives in the north migrates south during the winter, whereas the population that lives in the south continues to live in the same location.

The Western Bluebird’s diet consists of a wide variety of foods, including insects (such as moths, termites, beetles, ants, and spiders), as well as berries (such as holly, sumac, dogwood, and others).


3.) Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay

 

  • Scientific name: Aphelocoma woodhouseii.
  • Length of the body: between 27 and 31 millimeters (11-12 inches)
  • Weight: Approximately 80 grams (2.8 ounces)
  • The Wingspan: Approximately 39 cm (15 inches)
  • Lifespan: Approximately 9 years.
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: least concerned about its future.

The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay is a member of the genus Aphelocoma and is classified as a medium-sized bird. They are found only in North America.

woodhouse's scrub-jay

Both the male and female Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays look very similar to one another since this species does not exhibit sexual dimorphism.

The bodies of these birds are about average size, and their heads, wings, and tails are all blue. They have grey underparts and a back that is a color that is between grey and brown.

They have a circular white patch with a blue necklace that is located on the front of their throat. The birds that reside in the coastal sections of the Pacific are known for their vivid colors, in contrast to the birds that dwell in the inland regions of the country.

Habitat and range — As their name suggests, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays like to nest in regions with low-scrub, such as pinon-juniper forests, mesquite bosques, oak woods, and evergreen forests.

Their range extends from the southwestern United States to the southeastern Canadian provinces. In addition, these birds are known to inhabit both temperate and boreal woods, in addition to scrub-brush environments.

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays are very gregarious birds that like to forage in family groups or couples. This is because of their cooperative feeding style.

The majority of their diet consists of insects, frogs, lizards, and the eggs of both species, in addition to the eggs of smaller birds. Nevertheless, during the winter months, they rely more heavily on grains, berries, and nuts.


4.) Blue Grosbeak

 

  • Scientific name: Passerina caerulea
  • The length of the body: Between 14 and 19 cm (5.5-7.5 inches)
  • Weight: 6-31 grams (0.91-1.11 ounces)
  • The wingspan: Between 26 and 29 cm (10-11 inches)
  • Lifespan: Approximately 5.5 years.
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.

Small passerine birds that are native to North America and belong to the same family as cardinals, Blue Grosbeaks are members of the Cardinal family.

blue grosbeak

Only the male Blue Grosbeaks have the blue coloration that gives them their name, displaying a powerful example of sexual dimorphism.

These birds are known for their striking appearance. The bodies of the adult males are a dark blue color, and their wings have various degrees of black and brown on them.

On the other hand, the majority of the females have a brown coloration to them. On the other hand, both sexes have double wing bars on the flying feathers of their wings, in addition to having a wide and deep bill.

The majority of people who watch birds misidentify them as Indigo Buntings. The size of these birds, on the other hand, exceeds that of the others.

Habitat and range – The Blue Grosbeak is a species of migratory bird that spends the months of its breeding season in the southern areas of the United States as well as in the northern sections of Mexico.

These birds travel to Central America to spend the winter there. When it comes to feeding behavior, blue grosbeaks are known for their preference for searching for food on the ground rather than in the branches of trees.

They are omnivores, thus in addition to grains, wild fruits, and seeds, they will consume things like snails and spiders.


5.) Purple Gallinule

 

  • Scientific name: Porphyrio porphyrio.
  • Length of the body: Between 26 and 37 millimeters (10-15 inches)
  • Weight: 141-304 grams (5.0-10.7 ounces)
  • The wingspan: Between 50 and 60 cm (20-23 inches)
  • Lifespan: Approximately 22 years.
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.
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The Purple Gallinule is a species of swamphen that is a member of the Rail family. Despite their look, they are not cranes but rather swamphens.

purple gallinule

Description: The Purple Gallinules have a body size that falls somewhere in the middle between small and large, and they exhibit sexual dimorphism in which the males are larger and heavier than the females of the species.

The adults have a red bill that is tinged with yellow, a pale blue forehead, and a blue-purple plumage that, when it catches the sunshine, appears to be green or turquoise.

The young Purple Gallinules have a body color that is similar to golden, but they have purple feathers on their chest. Their bills and foreheads are noticeably less dark than those of adult birds.

The Purple Gallinules call freshwater marshes with lush vegetation growing nearby their preferred habitat, and they can be found throughout the southeastern United States.

These birds make their homes year-round in the southern regions of Florida, the Caribbean, sections of Central America, and the Pacific coast of Mexico.

During the summer months, you can also locate them in the southern and southeastern states of the United States.

Even though they are omnivores, purple gallinules favor plant matter over animal matter when it comes to their diet. The water lily, the lotus, the hydrilla, the hyacinth, rice, and other foods are staples in their diet.


6.) Stellar’s Jay

 

  • Scientific name: Cyanocitta stelleri
  • Length of the body: Between 30 and 34 millimeters (12-13 inches)
  • Weight: 100-140 grams (3.5-4.9 ounces)
  • The wingspan: Approximately 47.5 centimeters (19 inches)
  • Lifespan: About 11 to 16 years
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.

Stellar Jays are unique birds that can only be found in the western region of North America. These jays are of a medium size.

stellar’s jay

Both sexes of a Stellar’s Jay are nearly indistinguishable from one another in appearance thanks to the Stellar Jay’s low level of sexual dimorphism.

The different latitudes cause a shift in the coloration of their heads, which can go from black to brown to a dark blue tone.

The remainder of their body, on the other hand, is always a lighter tint than their head, and it acquires a shade that is between silver and blue on the shoulders and the chest.

Their wings and tail are a deep blue color, and they are coated from head to toe in streaks of black all over their bodies.

Stellar’s Jays can be found in the densely forested areas of the world, such as the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains, southern Alaska, and northern Nicaragua.

Their natural habitat is the coniferous forests, where they like to build their nests and where they can be found in their range. In addition to El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, these birds can be found in northern El Salvador.

As long as there are forests in the surrounding area, they can also be found in residential and agricultural areas. They prefer to live in areas with a lot of trees.

Consumption patterns – As omnivores, Stellar’s Jays get about two-thirds of their nutrition from plant matter in the form of seeds, berries, nuts, and fruits, while the remaining third comes from animal matter.

They search for food on the ground in addition to foraging in the trees.


7.) Mountain Bluebird

 

  • Scientific name: Sialia currucoides
  • The length of the body: Between 15.5–18 cm (6.1-7.1 inches)
  • Weight: 24-37 grams (0.85-1.31 ounces)
  • The span of the wings: 28–36 millimeters (11-14.2 inches)
  • Lifespan: Between 4 to 6 years.
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.

Mountain Bluebirds are a species of tiny songbirds that belong to the thrush family and can be found in North and South America.

mountain bluebird

Although both sexes of Mountain Bluebirds are around the same size, they exhibit sexual dimorphism in the coloration of their plumage.

This is despite the fact that Mountain Bluebirds are very small birds. The upper parts of the mature males are a vibrant shade of turquoise blue, while the underparts are a lighter shade of blue and the lower belly is white.

On the other hand, adult females have grey throats, crowns, breasts, and backs in addition to wings and tails that are a dull blue color.

Mountain Bluebirds are known to nest not just in pre-existing cavities but also in man-made nesting boxes, as this is part of their natural habitat.

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Open country is their natural habitat, and you may find them in the western sections of North America, including the mountain ranges of that region.

Insects and berries make up a significant component of the Mountain Bluebird’s diet. The Mountain Bluebird’s feeding habits. Peanuts are another food that may be used to entice birds to your feeder.


8.) Blue Jay

 

  • Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata
  • Length of the body: Between 22 and 30 millimeters (9-12 inches)
  • Weight: Between 70 and 100 grams (2.5-3.5 ounces)
  • The wingspan: 34–43 centimeters (13-17 inches)
  • Lifespan: Around 7 years
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Conservation status: Least concerned about its future.

Blue Jays, which are members of the family of passerine birds known as oscines and can only be found in the eastern parts of North America, are considered an endemic species.

blue jay

The Blue Jays exhibit very minimal sexual dimorphism, meaning that both the males and females seem remarkably similar to one another.

The only discernible difference between the sexes is that the males are greater in size than their female counterparts. They have a white face, while the rest of their body, including their crest, back, wings, and tail, are covered in a shade of lavender blue.

They have a collared neck that is black and extends on both sides of their head, and the underparts of their body are off-white. The tips of their bills, their legs, and their eyes are all colored black.

Habitat and range: Blue Jays have a strong preference for nesting in pine and spruce-fir forests rather than open woodlands. They may also lay their eggs in mixed forests consisting of oaks and beeches on occasion.

The habitat range of these birds extends all the way from the southern part of Canada, through the eastern and central parts of the United States, and down to the northeastern part of Texas and Florida.

Feeding habits The bills of Blue Jays are extremely strong, which is helpful when these birds are cracking nuts because of their size.

They rummage around on the ground and in the trees for food, and their diet includes things like acorns, grains, fruits, weed seeds, peanuts, and berries, among other things.


9.) Cerulean Warbler

 

  • Scientific name: Setophaga Cerulea
  • Length of the body: Around 11 millimeters (4.3 inches)
  • Weight: 8-10 grams (0.28-0.31 ounces)
  • The wingspan: Approximately 20 cm (7.9 inches)
  • Lifespan: Approximately 5 years.
  • Diet: insectivore
  • Conservation status: Almost on the endangered species list

The Cerulean Warbler is a member of the New World Warbler family and is a tiny songbird that may be found in South America.

cerulean warbler

Description Every single one of the Cerulean Warblers has a narrow and pointed bill in addition to their recognizable wing bars.

These birds have a striking degree of sexual dimorphism, as seen by the fact that the upper portions of the adult males are colored in white and a light shade of cerulean blue, while the underparts of their bodies are colored in a lighter shade.

They are wearing a large black necklace around their neck. They not only have black streaks on their flanks but also on the rear of their bodies.

On the other hand, the mature females have upper parts that can range in hue from gray to greenish, and neither their back nor their necks have any streaks on them. In addition to that, there is a thin, pale stripe that runs over their eyes.

The Cerulean Warbler is a species of migratory bird that spends its breeding season in the mature deciduous woods of the eastern sections of North America.

During the winter months, this species of bird migrates to the forested highlands of South America. Cerulean Warblers are mostly insectivorous birds that actively hunt in the high branches of trees to catch flying insects as their primary source of nutrition.


In Sum, Bluebirds Can Be Found In Colorado

The color blue is associated with calm and peace since it is the hue of the sky. All of the birds in Colorado that have a blue hue are of tiny size and belong to the families of jays, bluebirds, warblers, rails, or grosbeaks.

The next time you look up in the sky and see one of these itty-bitty blue birds flying by, you will be able to identify it with complete certainty.


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