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The mountain bluebird, Idaho’s state bird, is a common songbird found in western North America, primarily in the Rocky Mountains. They feed on insects and berries, and nest in aspen, pinyon, and spruce trees. The male helps with the nest, and they are often found on open ranches and forests.
Idaho’s state bird is the mountain bluebird, a type of songbird considered to be fairly common in western North America. The mountain bluebird is most often found in the Rocky Mountains and has also been designated the state bird of Nevada. These birds, scientifically called Sialia arctcia, are also sometimes found in eastern and west-central North America, as well as Alaska. They typically grow to about 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) long and generally weigh no more than 1.1 ounces (30 grams). Males are generally azure-blue in appearance, while females are mostly gray with blue tail feathers on wings, and juveniles of the species are generally comparable to adults, but with less conspicuous plumage.
The Idaho State Legislature declared the mountain bluebird the state bird of Idaho during its 21st legislative session on February 29, 1931. The Idaho state bird is just one of the bird symbols designated by the state. The state has also adopted the peregrine falcon as the state’s official raptor.
These bluebirds typically feed primarily on insects. They are known to feed on grasshoppers, cockroaches, bees, wasps, ants, and bedbugs, among others. They are believed to derive up to 92 percent of their diet from insects. The remainder of the mountain bluebird’s diet typically consists of berries and seeds, including grapes, hackberry seeds, and sumac seeds.
Little is known about the nesting habits of the Idaho state bird, because these birds often take advantage of nest boxes that are offered to them. They are known to occupy deserted woodpecker nests and have also been seen nesting in natural slopes. It is believed that they prefer to nest in aspen, pinyon, and spruce, at a height of 12 to 35 feet (3.65 to 10.67 meters) above the ground.
It is believed that only the female of the species builds the nest, while the male may simply make helping motions. Male upland bluebirds have been observed to drop any nesting material they have collected before being able to return to the nest. Sometimes, they fail to collect any nesting material, but appear to pretend to collect it.
The mountain bluebird is most often found on open ranches and forests, often near forest edges. Usually summer in the northern Rockies and Alaska, but are often found outside their normal ranges during the winter. The Idaho state bird has been found as far south as Mexico. They have also been known to expand sufficiently towards the eastern coast of North America to encroach on the eastern bluebird’s territory.
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