There are three types of bluebirds that are native to North America. The eastern bluebird is the most common and has the largest range, the western bluebird, which can be found in the
Eastern coastal states and down into Mexico, and the mountain bluebird, which has a range similar to the western bluebird except that is extended in the north and the east.
It is usually easy to tell the difference between the male mountain bluebirds and males of the other two types of North American bluebirds. Adult male mountain bluebirds have a blue chest with little to no
rufous color. The male eastern and western bluebird have a mostly
rufous colored chest.
Female mountain bluebirds come in two different color phases. There is the gray phase, which are mostly gray all over except for the blue on the wings like the one pictured above, or the
rufous phase which have a
rufous colored chest. The
rufous phase female can be difficult because it can look at
first glance like a light colored eastern or western female.
There are three types of bluebirds that are native to North America. The eastern bluebird is the most common and has the largest range, the western bluebird, which can be found in the Eastern coastal states and down into Mexico, and the mountain bluebird, which has a range similar to the western bluebird except that is extended in the north and the east.
It is usually easy to tell the difference between the male mountain bluebirds and males of the other two types of North American bluebirds. Adult male mountain bluebirds have a blue chest with little to no rufous color. The male eastern and western bluebird have a mostly rufous colored chest.
Female mountain bluebirds come in two different color phases. There is the gray phase, which are mostly gray all over except for the blue on the wings like the one pictured above, or the rufous phase which have a rufous colored chest. The rufous phase female can be difficult because it can look at first glance like a light colored eastern or western female.
12 comments:
What a lovely shade of blue the mountain bluebird is!
Your photos are stunning too.
I agree with Arija. These birds are a beautiful blue. Great photos!
Beautiful mountain bluebirds!
Wow - those bluebirds are so pretty!
I love the way the male mountain bluebirds feathers reflect the light. I never knew there were 3 different kinds of blue birds.
They are such pretty birds - how lovely.
Beautiful! I don't know that I have ever knowingly seen a bluebird in the wild.
My CC
The beauty of this bird is breath taking!
We have the mountain bluebirds at our second home. I love the brightness of their feathers.
Look at those sweet faces and beautiful blue color. Thanks so much for bringing them to us.
I have only seen the Eastern ones! Your Mountain ones are GORGEOUS!
Beautiful pictures! Here's my ode to the bluebird
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