Tag Archives: Western Bluebirds

June Wilson watched as these two Western Bluebirds chicks left the nest.

These pretty birds are found near coastal bluffs. I am 1/2 mile back from the ocean, and I never see Western Bluebirds at my place.

Here is a photo taken by Steve Wilcox showing an adult male on the left and the adult female on the right.

Steve also photographed the male at a nesting box, showing his beautiful blue feathers. He has a bug in his beak, about to feed one of his chicks. Yes, Western Bluebirds are cavity nesters. If you are in the right location, putting up a nesting box might tempt a pair to raise their family near you!

Thanks to June and Steve for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Steve Wilcox was the lucky person who had a pair of Western Bluebirds build a nest in his birdhouse. Here are the parents, with the male on the left.

Western Bluebird male and female by Steve WilcoxHere the father brings a tasty bug to his offspring.

Western Bluebird dad with a bug by Steve WilcoxAnd finally Steve got a photo of the newly fledged chick

Western Bluebird chick by Steve WilcoxWestern Bluebirds are thrushes.  When they aren't breeding they like to travel in flocks, being very social birds! To hear their calls, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Bluebird/sounds

Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Western Bluebirds nest in cavities so putting up the perfect size birdhouse might lure a pair to nest nearby your home. They are found near the bluffs here on the Coast. Susan and Jim Grenwelge have had Bluebirds coming to this beautiful birdhouse for several years.

Western Bluebird pair by Susan Grenwelge

Small birds, a Western Bluebird weighs only about an ounce. They are charming to see. Bluebirds mostly eat insects, though they will eat fruit and seeds, along with insects in the wintertime. To hear their calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/western_bluebird/sounds

Thanks to Susan for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Tom Reynolds photographed this female Western Bluebird with her fledgling. The baby looks like it is asking where is the food. Bluebirds tirelessly bring insects to their young. Perhaps it's time for junior to hunt for his or her own tasty morsels.

Have you ever thought how important insects are as a food source? They are extremely important!

Siegfried Matull manages to get some of the most fantastic photographs of Western Bluebirds on the Mendonoma Coast. How does he do it? I've learned his camera is set on a tri-pod and pre-focused on the birdhouse currently occupied by two Western Bluebirds. With his camera that can take nine shots per second, he sits next to his camera with a remote control cable in one hand and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in the other. That's taking pictures, Mendonoma Coast style!