Western Bluebird

Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is in the Thrushes family (Turdidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 66,181 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

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 Western Bluebird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Western Bluebird

The western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) is a small thrush, about 15 to 18 cm (5.9 to 7.1 in) in length. Adult males are bright blue on top and on the throat with an orange breast and sides, a brownish patch on back, and a gray belly and undertail coverts. Adult females have a duller blue body, wings, and tail than the male, a gray throat, a dull orange breast, and a gray belly and undertail coverts. Immature western...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Western 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

Hermit ThrushCatharus guttatus

Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatus

Mountain BluebirdSialia currucoides

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