The Mountain Bluebird is the most vivid blue of the three bluebird species, the male's sky-blue plumage being nearly unmatched among North American passerines. It hunts open montane and subalpine terrain by hovering — a hunting technique used more than in the other bluebirds — before dropping onto insects on the ground. It is the state bird of Idaho and Nevada.
Best time to see a Mountain Bluebird
The best time to see a Mountain Bluebird is January–June, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 16,230 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Mountain Bluebird? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Mountain Bluebird sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Mountain Bluebird?
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