Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is in the Thrushes family (Turdidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 16,830 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Mountain Bluebird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Mountain Bluebird

The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a medium-sized bird weighing about 30 g (1.1 oz) with a length from 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in). They have light underbellies and black eyes. Adult males have thin bills and are bright turquoise-blue and somewhat lighter underneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tail, grey breast, grey crown, throat and back. In fresh fall plumage, the female's throat and breast are tinged with red-orange, brownish near the flank contrasting with white tail underparts....From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Mountain Bluebird by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Thrushes)

American RobinTurdus migratorius

Eastern BluebirdSialia sialis

Western BluebirdSialia mexicana

Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatus

Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatus

Wood ThrushHylocichla mustelina

Varied ThrushIxoreus naevius

Townsend's SolitaireMyadestes townsendi

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ