Spot Western Bluebird (Sialia Mexicana)

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Western Bluebirds are small thrushes that perch upright. They are stocky with thin, straight bills and fairly short tails. Male Western Bluebirds are shiny blue above with rust-orange extending from a vest on the breast onto the upper back. Females are gray-buff with a pale orange wash on the breast and blue tints to the wings and tail. The throat is blue in males and gray-buff in females, and the lower belly is whitish. Diet and behavioral habits: Seen in Balboa Park since the 1920’s, the Western Bluebird is now a year-round resident. These birds are social, and feed in flocks during the non-breeding season. Western Bluebirds rely on trees both for nesting cavities and hunting perches. Insects make up majority of diet, especially in summer; feeds heavily on grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, ants. and also many other insects. Berries and small fruits are important in diet especially in winter, including the fruits of mistletoe, juniper, and elderberry. Nesting behavior: The nest site is in a cavity, such as natural hollow in oak or pine, old woodpecker hole, birdhouse, or sometimes a hole in a building. They usually nest fairly low, rarely up to 50' above the ground. The nest is probably built mostly by female, but male may take part. The nest is made up of a rather loose cup of twigs and weeds, lined with finer grass.

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