Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana
The
Western Bluebird is a delicate little bird with a charming
personality. It has the characteristic eye ring and rufus breast
of the thrush family. It is not as bold as an
American Robin. It has a temperament similar to that of the
Hermit
thrush.
Niche filled by the Western Bluebird
The western Bluebird is a secondary cavity nester that feeds on many common garden insect pests.
Migration of the Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird moves out of the Higher elevations in the winter. Some move into the southwestern desert and northern central valley areas in winter.
Nesting habitats used by the Western Bluebird.
The
Western Bluebird is a secondary cavity nester. That is, it uses a
nest that was excavated by another bird in a previous season.
This is usually an old woodpecker cavity. However, they will also
use a bird house. The Western bluebird like the Eastern Bluebird
is forced out of many nesting areas by the European Starling. The
European starling is a very aggressive secondary cavity nester.
It will even push baby birds of other species out of their nest
and take the nest for themselves.
Diet
of the Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird eats insects, earthworms, snails, Poison oak berries, and other small berries and fruits. In our garden the Western bluebirds eat Elderberries, Mahonia nevinii and Toyon.
Planting bushes with berries also helps attract the Western Bluebird to your garden. Their favorite plant in our garden is Mahonia nevinii. This is a prickly shrub that grows up to about 5 ft tall. It has yellowish berries that turn red as they ripen. It is evergreen and quite attractive.
How
to attract the Western Bluebird to your garden
The
Western Bluebird often will occupy an area because of its
availability of nest sites. Building a nest
box in your
garden will greatly enhance your chances of attracting these
birds. If you build your nest box with a smaller entrance hole,
the European starlings will not take them.
Habitat/Plant communities used by the Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird prefers open woodlands with water available. They use oak woodlands as well as coniferous forests and riparian woodlands.
Range of the Western Bluebird
The
Western Bluebird is found in most of California except in the
deserts and the south central valley in summer.
The Western Bluebird also enjoys using the bird bath. They will drink as well as bath in it.