15 Types of Blue Birds (With Pictures)

Birds that have plumage in blue hue colors have often been a delight to both the eye and the ear of bird lovers. Their bright coloration together with mesmerizing songs have made them a darling of bird lovers for decades. They range from the gorgeous Eastern Blue bird to the cute Indigo Bunting, and every one of these beautiful birds is different in terms of appearance, behavior, minimal nutrition and nesting requirements, and the necessity for protection.

As seen in this all-in-one guide, there are 15 diverse species of blue birds in the world. You will be able to find out how they breed and feed them, as well as the importance of their existence in the ecosystem. We’ll also give you useful advice on how to find these wonderful animals in the wilderness.

Prepare yourself for a flight into the realm of blue birds and love the concept where nature and ecology are beautifully intertwined, allowing readers to certainly learn more about these selected fascinating birds.

1. Eastern Blue bird

One of the most beautiful but small birds is the Eastern Blue bird. It also has a royal blue at the back and a reddish-brown in front, not to mention the bright colors used. This species inhabits areas with less vegetation, such as open meadows and woodlands; it is distributed mainly across the Eastern United States and may be encountered in suburbs where this bird likes to sit on fences or forage in meadows. These birds- about 7 inches in length-are a true treasure of the eastern scenery.

Breeding Habits

Eastern Blue birds often select cavities for nesting, although they can be useful in natural ones such as tree hollows, or will use man-made nest boxes when available to them. It reproduces only during spring and summer and the females lay approximately 4-6 eggs in a clutch. It is quite interesting to note here that, unlike most bird species, both the male and the female are involved in the process of feeding the young, and therefore are worthy of emulation by other phantom birds in the world.

Feeding Patterns

As for the diet, eastern blue birds feed mainly on insects to acquire the requisite protein, especially whilst breeding. Their preferred diets are beetles grasshoppers and other insects of lesser sizes the rest of the time they resort to fruits whenever there are no insects. This insect-loaded diet is important in the growth and development of their chicks.

2. Western Blue bird

It looks like a beautiful cousin of the Eastern Blue bird, the Western Blue bird is marked by its sleek blue plumage and a touch of bright orange on the chest. These are fairly similar to birds that they share the same name with but are slightly more diminutive and are mostly native to the west of the United States. These birds prefer areas such as open woods and grassland; however, their stripped bright colored plumage with the surroundings of woods or fields provides bird watchers eye-pleasure.

Breeding Habits

Like the eastern type, Western Blue birds also like to nest in cavities using old timber, or a tree with a hole in it. Secondly, they do not hesitate to nest in birdhouses built by people. There is one distinctive feature about this species – they migrate from one region to another – especially during the winter – in search of warmer habitats for procreation and rearing of their young ones.

Feeding Patterns

The Western Blue birds feed on a variety of natural foods. During summer, they feed mainly on ants, wasps, and other small beings and weirdly enough they are effective insecticides. In the winter they switch their diet to berries but they make sure they balance themselves nutritionally throughout the year.

3. Indigo Bunting

Another popular small bird is the Indigo Bunting and despite its name, the male of this bird is bright blue and shimmering during the breeding time. Males, in contrast, have a brown coloration with a slightly orange to red hue and females are brown giving them the right color of their environment. These birds are not only for the color but also for the melodious notes they produce; this makes them unique birds that bird-watching enthusiasts cannot do without.

Breeding Habits

Indigo Buntings usually breed from the ground up to 3 meters in shrubs or low trees but, they prefer the coast which is more convenient for hiding their young. The breeding season of these birds is between May and July and it is the female that incubates eggs alone. During this period the bright blue males will sing to protect their area and get a mate, which just adds the charm of these beautiful birds.

Feeding Patterns

Indigo Buntings are generalists; they forage on seeds, fruits, and insects mostly small sizes. They may be found easily in areas searching for foods such as flowers, seeds, grain, young plants, and grasses in weedy fields, grasslands, and edges of the woodlands. Their basic dietary flexibility is suited for any climate, thereby making them common in North America.

4. Mountain Blue bird

Absolute that the Mountain Blue bird lives in the north of America and it is well known that it is a species of vivid blue color which makes it distinct from the mountains. These species are adapted to life on the savannah, the prairies, and grasslands, and one will often see the blue ones flying high in search of their food. Super elegant and extremely beautiful in look, these make special sites for bird watching.

Breeding Habits

Mountain Blue birds are famous for their breeding habit, where they select tree cavities or newly constructed blue bird houses. This species preferred more elevated areas and they often seal themselves in isolated areas when breeding. They are more territorial, especially during breeding season where they are willing to fight any threats to their hatchlings.

Feeding Patterns

Mountain Blue birds are quite a bit predatory and get most of their food from insects. They mostly feed on their prey in mid-air, they do this as a result of their speed in movements. They also feed on wild berries for the rest of the year when insects are not easily available on the plant. On the main, it enables them to have a balanced nutrient uptake throughout the year even though at certain times they may have certain types of foods in large proportions.

5. Blue Jay

The Blue Jay is a very familiar bird from North America, that is usually seen in the forests as well as suburban areas. Their beautiful blue color, belly is white and they are circled by a black band around the neck. These resourceful and smart birds are not only for their stunning view but also noise as their sounds attract not only other animals but also people.

Breeding Habits

Blue jays develop impressive, massive nests in trees, preferably oak or beech tree trunks, and higher up in them. It is also with regard to nest building that it can be described that they engage in nest building in a process that involves both the male and female partners. Like most birds, breeding in Blue Jays is from March to July, and when the female is nesting, the male can attack intruders, including people, and make shrill, loud noises.

Feeding Patterns

Blue Jays are known to be highly opportunistic and feed on a number of different things including acorns, seeds, nuts, and insects. What makes them unique, is their tendency to store foods, particularly acorns, especially when the going gets really tough. This is such a smart behavior as they prepare well and anticipate such tough weather conditions as the cold.

6. Tree Swallow

The Tree Swallow has a cordate shape and has an iridescent blue-green back with their underparts and wing parents white colored. They are mainly located around the areas of water bodies, farmlands, and contact countryside where the birds can easily fly around. This species of the swallow is noted for its swallow’s fly and maneuverability as well as its unique ability to live just about anywhere, which makes it a feathered favorite for bird watchers.

Breeding Habits

Tree Swallows breed during the early part of spring and use holes in trees or natural(The author continues to give a detailed account of the Tree Swallows.) The female tends to lay 4-6 eggs, and they both play the role of feeding and raising offspring. Due to this breeding cycle, their young are capable of a good start before the onset of the summer holidays.

Feeding Patterns

Tree Swallow migratory birds are good aerial foragers, mostly feeding on aerial insects including beetles, ants, locusts, and flying ants. They feed on fruits and berries when there are none, yet change to tiny fruits and berries during colder when other insects are unavailable.

7. Lazuli Bunting

The Lazuli Bunting is a passerine bird, which is easily distinguished by an adult deep blue coloring with orange and white bands across the breast. Endemic to the western part of North America, this small bird is not only colorful but also musical, making it a favorite among bird-watching audiences in open wooded and brushy country.

Breeding Habits

Lazuli Buntings build small bowl-shaped nests on bushes or small trees which serve them to bring up their brood. There is information that these birds pair for life, moreover, reproduce only themselves in a year. Although the male is slightly larger than the female, both birds are likely to incubate the chicks, they are good family birds and share responsibilities during breeding season.

Feeding Patterns

Diet Of Lazuli Buntings The Lazuli Buntings feeds mostly on insects, various seeds, nuts, and berries. These birds can usually be observed feeding on the floor or in shrubs, cœters sometimes using beaks to husk seeds. This is something that makes them versatile as far as diet is concerned and can be found residing in places that include shrublands, to laid-back places like grasslands.

8. Blue Grosbeak

This songbird is known to be primarily deep blue all over its body but displayed on its wings are shocking blue lines. These birds are local on the edges of the woods and scrub, where they can freely forage and even nest. Usually bright in color and with beautiful loud songs, the species is well appreciated by birding and nature enthusiasts.

Breeding Habits

Blue Grosbeaks choose to make their nests in thickets where this shrub gives the youthful birds adequate cover. The breeding season most often starts in the late spring; females are responsible for incubating eggs, and males – for the territory and assistance.

Feeding Patterns

Blue Grosbeaks feed mainly on insects and seeds as well as grains and probably fruits. In the warmer months, the grasshoppers and beetles are especially enjoyed and consumed in large quantities by these creatures. Concerning their feeding behavior they help to regulate the entomological worlds and hence are important to their environments.

9. Cerulean Warbler

The Eastern Blue bird is a small beautiful bird with piercing blue color on its head and upper part of the chest, and white on the rest of its underparts. This marvelous bird is a rather scarce inhabitant of the North American deciduous forests, and its bright plumage, as well as its rich singing, attract birding enthusiasts even in the colder months.

Breeding Habits

As for their habitat, the Eastern Blue birds prefer Tops of mature forests where they utilize tree holes or any human-constructed box. The breeder of brogits is relatively short, usually seen in May and June. These birds are territorial at this time especially the males who will do everything possible to protect their nest and young ones.

Feeding Patterns

Widely, the dietary options of the Eastern Blue birds comprise insects, especially the caterpillars and spiders. They can be observed crossing from tree to tree, and can expertly listen through the bushes while peeking into foliage for food. Their diet provides them with food and is inclusive of the exercise of modulating insect populations in their ecosystems.

10. California Scrub-Jay

The bird of the California Scrub-Jay is another of kind bird that will leave you spellbound with bright blue feathers and a certain grayish-brown hue on the back. This small avian inhabitant is native to the western half of the United States, especially the shrub-steppe habitat where it has ample opportunity to search for food or a nest site. High-spirited and brainy in its actions it becomes a joy to behold for birders and any enthusiastic nature lover.

Breeding Habits

California scrub jays are mostly polygamous but forage together and jointly put effort towards nest construction. They make oval-shaped nests on trees and shrubs from plant fibers and fine grasses and leaves gathered on their own by the female. The male shares in nest-building activities and the female is hard at work preparing their nest for the future young. Their attachment to family life demonstrates well the development of pair bonds in these birds.

Feeding Patterns

Their diet includes the acorns, insects, fruits, and even small vertebrate animals of the California Scrub-Jay. Said to be one of the most intelligent types of birds, these birds can freeze some portions of food and only eat them during the winter time, truly intelligent. It also largely aids them in feeding during hard moments and also shows their versatility in almost every aspect.

11. Florida Scrub-Jay

The Florida Scrub-Jay is an interesting large blue bird with white underparts and an essential part of Florida’s population. This striking species prefers open wooded and scrubby country which is not heavily overgrown with undergrowth as these areas are where it searches for food and constructs its nest. Another factor that sets the Florida scrub jay apart from similar birds is the fact that this species does not migrate like most other types of birds; rather it stays within its rather circumscribed territory.

Breeding Habits

This species prefers strong family cohesion and nesting and tends to nest in areas with high and dense shrubs that enable them to protect their young. This group of birds lives in trees and is very aggressive when it comes to defending its territory; the members show good teamwork. They can raise young in family units and as is evidenced from instances of older offspring operating as sentinel, young birds too can take part in helping in the brood care and demonstrating their affiliative tendencies.

Feeding Patterns

Nutritional opportunities for Florida Scrub-Jays include seeds such as acorns and fruits as well as insects and reptiles. It is for this reason that the scrub haunts are preferred by them as the major foods depend on what is available in these regions. But the unexpected decline of their natural habitats remains a great danger to them, thus the justification for the defense of these splendid birds and their natural habitats.

12. Belted Kingfisher

Regardless of its large size and beautiful appearance with bluish-gray feather color, the bird wears a black headband hence it is called ‘the Belted Kingfisher’. Seen often around water sources such as rivers, and lakes, the bird is also known for rather skillful fishingcapable of diving to catch its prey in water.

Breeding Habits

Belted Kingfishers show unique proofs of breeding with a keen preference to nest by making burrows near river courses. They can make the formation of safe nesting grounds for their eggs and very young chicks possible. Breeding season is from spring through early summer, and both sexes share responsibility for nurturing the young as the family grows.

Feeding Patterns

The diet of the Belted Kingfisher is mostly fish since it feeds through diving and occasionally takes other small prey. Besides fish, their diet includes small Crustacea, insects, and occasionally Anura. These birds are greatly valued in hunting and have excellent hunting abilities; they sit on a branch, and suddenly, the bird dives in order to catch fish.

13. Steller’s Jay

It may be seen that the Steller’s Jay is a beautiful bird that has many shades of blue wing feathers and a black crest. This lively species is known as the indicated in the map habitats which are the pine forests of the western region of North America, particularly in the mountainous region since it is associated with richness in vegetation. Because of its personality and coloration, the Steller’s Jay does not leave birders and other lovers of birds indifferent.

Breeding Habits

Lately, Steller’s Jays are noted for their territorial behavior, especially when they have young ones in the nest. They usually make their nests in tree tops, although they develop a penchant for coniferous regions that give protection to their young ones. The mating behavior they exhibit when protecting their nesting areas is so selfless to family and security staying in natural environments.

Feeding Patterns

These smart birds feed on nuts and seeds, insects also small animals like the squirrels. Steller’s Jays are Bolshoy playful birds, who prefer to look for food remnants near human settlements, thus they are quite wise birds. Their food-searching and hunting skills, as well as hunting in different parts of the world, including the excellent thinking and movements they exhibit testifies their level of intelligence.

14. Pinyon Jay

The Pinyon Jay is a beautiful bird and looks a lot like a jackdaw, but has no crest and is a dull blue color. This is a sociable bird found in pinyon-juniper woodlands in the western portion of the United States this bird has amazing calls and observation of its playfulness is a joy to bird watchers.

Breeding Habits

This species is well noted for its complex breeding systems and as such the Pinyon Jays are known to breed in large flocks. They build their nest in shrubs and small trees using sticks and grass they pick from the ground of the forest. This social breeding behavior helps a pair of jays in mating by having young ones from other pairs in the group while increasing the odds of the young ones’ survival.

Feeding Patterns

From the feeding behaviors that were observed the major food source of the Pinyon Jays is piñon pine seeds that are obtained from cones. They likewise feed on insects and small fruits during those instances when the seeds of pines more specifically the seeds of Laniaria subalpina are not available in the region. In an aspect of foraging, they are flexible hence making them survive as they also support the process of seed dispersion.

15. Purple Martin

It is a swallow bird with a stout bill the feathers of this bird in particular have a metallic bluish sheen and most of them are dark in color. This bird enjoys a well-deserved reputation for its migration between North and South America and it is an object of admiration of birders and nature lovers.

Breeding Habits

Purple Martins are gregarious birds who prefer nesting in large colonies – during the breeding season, they prefer nest sites in birdhouses, which are artificial structures. Such species have gradually adapted a strong dependence on these human-provided nesting spots and are an interesting example of wildlife and human coexistence. They increase their survival probability by nesting in small flocks also making the community richer.

Feeding Patterns

Large with mobility, Purple Martins are proficient fliers, specialized in catching aerial insects on the fly. Their feeding habit indicates their wonderful flying abilities, since they may be able to fly long distances in search of food. These birds are not only particularly good hunters the migratory life means they might get to use a variety of resources on the way.

 Conclusion

 Different exquisite birds existing in the world today from the Blue bird that can include the Eastern Blue bird to the Purple Martin among others are important in our environment. These birds have such beautiful metallic sheen and they exhibit rather peculiar behavior which makes them interesting to watch. That is why knowledge of the feeding, reproduction, and living conditions of these fish is so important for their protection. Some of these species such as the Cerulean Warbler and the Florida Scrub-Jay are threatened by factors such as habitat loss thus the need to protect natural ecosystems for these beautiful birds.

 FAQ

Q: Which of the blue birds are found most frequently?

A: The Eastern Blue bird is one of the most intelligible bluish birds in the North American countryside.

 Q: Every time I want to launch a new event, the blue birds seem to be absent What should I do to have the bluebirds visit my garden?

A: Putting up bird houses and planting native shrubs that bear fruits such as berries are perfect for attracting true and painting blue birds in your garden.

 Q: Are bluebirds migratory?

A: Our bluebirds for instance the Western Bluebird and Indigo Bunting are migratory and may go to the southern regions during winter.

 

2 Comments on “15 Types of Blue Birds (With Pictures)”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *