Western Bluebird

Western Bluebird 

(SialiaMexicana)

Photographed in the wild, Dana Point, California   Nov 2008

The Western Bluebird is a common sight in parklands of the West. Unlike the other species of bluebirds, it does not like large meadows, preferring open forests instead.

Male are dark blue with a bright reddish chest. Female are drab gray-blue with a duller reddish chest.

Occasionally Western Bluebirds have helpers at the nest. Most of the extra birds attending nests are helping their presumed parents; some after their own nests have failed

Western Bluebirds can be helped by birds far beyond family members. Violet-green Swallows have been observed feeding and defending nests of Western Bluebirds.

Return to Bluebirds

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird 

(Sialiasialis)

Photographed in the wild, Naples, Florida       Aug 2008

The red, white, and blue Eastern Bluebird is a familiar and welcomed tenant of birdhouses in suburban yards, parks, and golf courses. The popularity of "bluebird trails" and the erection of nest boxes across the country have led to increased bluebird populations in many areas. 

Male are dark blue with a bright reddish chest. Female are drab gray-blue with a duller reddish chest. 

The male Eastern Bluebird does a "Nest Demonstration Display" at the nest cavity to attract the female. He brings nest material to the hole, goes in and out, and waves his wings while perched above it. That is pretty much his contribution to nest building; only the female Eastern Bluebird builds the nest and incubates the eggs.

Return to Bluebirds

Fairy Bluebird

Asian Fairy Bluebird

Irena puella

Photographed at Toronto Zoo, Canada          Sept 2011

The Asian Fairy Bluebird eats fruit, nectar and some insects. The Asian fairy bluebird can be found in altitudes up to approximately 5900 feet in southern Asia and Malaysia. They prefer dense forests, the forest crown, and forest edge areas in wilderness where they are not disturbed by human development.

The adult Asian Fairy Bluebird is about 9 to 11 inches. The male has glossy, iridescent blue upperparts, and black under parts and flight feathers. The female and first year male are entirely dull blue-green. The male changes into adult plumage in March, the change taking place without a moult.

During the breeding season, flocks of Asian fairy bluebirds disband to form pairs and then make their nests deep in the jungle. As a result, little is known about their breeding behaviour. Normally 2 eggs are laid and are incubated for about 13 days. The young fledge (are able to fly) at about 12 days. Despite the early fledge time however; they are not independent until they are about 42 days old.

Return to Bluebirds

Bluebirds

Asian Fairy                       Eastern                         Western

The Bluebirds are a group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous bird in the order of Passerines in the genus Sialia of the thrush family (Turdidae). Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in the Americas. 

They have blue, or blue and rose beige, plumage. Female birds are less brightly colored than males, although color patterns are similar and there is no noticeable difference in size between the two sexes.