Blue birds in Colorado: 10 Birds with pictures

In this post we are looking for across the state of Colorado for blue colored birds. With mountains, plains and forests, there are different and inviting environments for birds. Whether they are resident or passing through on migration, there is such variety here and with 3 species of Bluebird alone, we must be able to find 10.

State of Colorado

Colorado was named by the Spanish for the earth’s red color. Because of its reputation for winter sports, you could be forgiven for thinking it is further east than it really is. Bordering Utah, Colorado’s geography is diverse with desert plains and of course, the Rocky Mountain Range. This leads to micro-climates being common and that affects the wildlife in the state. Further east from the Rockies are huge plains that have relatively few people in them. Urban areas are in the eastern side of the range, where it is more sheltered.

Birds of Colorado

The Centennial State is 9th out of 51 states on the eBird listings. It has 515 reported species, which is a lot when you consider it is the 8th largest state but only the 21st in terms of population. Visiting bird watchers must be very busy! The state has a huge range of bird species in the state, from hummingbirds to Bald Eagles. Let’s see what blue bird we can find.

10 Blue birds of Colorado

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Identification and Size

The female Indigo Bunting is a uniform, plain brown and the non-breeding male similar but with blue streaks on the breast. In breeding plumage, the male is a spectacular and rather unusual bright blue.

Length: 4.7 – 5.1 inches
Wingspan: 7.5 – 8.7 inches
Weight: 0.4 – 0.6 ounces

Distribution

More frequently seen in the eastern areas of the state. It overwinters in Central America and the Caribbean. Numbers are fairly low even during the height of summer.

Call

Audio by Bobby Wilcox

Diet

The Indigo Bunting has a varied diet with seeds, berries and insects in the winter, grass seeds on migration. Lastly, it eats insects and berries during breeding times.

Interesting Fact

On migration, Indigo Bunting fly at night and use the position of the stars to navigate.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

Identification and Size

A large kingfisher with a rough looking crest making the head look even larger. The back is a mid-blue with white underneath. Both sexes have a thick blue band across the top of the chest. It is the female that has a red band across the breast.

Length: 11 – 13.8 inches
Wingspan: 18.9 – 22.8 inches
Weight: 4.9 – 6 ounces

Distribution

Usually seen alone alongside waterways, the Belted Kingfisher can be seen across the state during the whole year.

Call

Audio by Thomas Magarian

Diet

The Belted Kingfisher feeds mainly on fish but will supplement its diet with small molluscs, insects and amphibians. It will also take opportunistic food like young birds and berries.

Interesting Fact

While adult birds regurgitate waste material as pellets, the chicks in the nest can digest bones, scales and shells.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Identification and Size

The Tree Swallow is a medium sized swallow with bright white underparts and blue above. Like most such birds, it looks iridescent in sunlight.

Length: 4.7 – 5.9 inches
Wingspan: 11.8 – 13.8 inches
Weight: 0.6 – 0.9 ounces

Distribution

As the range map shows above, the Tree Swallow is widespread across the state. They overwinter in Panama and so, are present in Colorado in the summer and fall months only.

Call

Audio by Thomas Magarian

Diet

The diet consists mainly of insects but the Tree Swallow will also take vegetation if needs arise.

Interesting Fact

Looking for calcium during the breeding season, Tree Swallows will look for egg shells to consume.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis clemenciae)

Photo by Tz

Identification and Size

This large hummingbird is a plain brown and green mix of colors with the male having a gray and white border on the face. The male has a blue throat which is at time, startling.

Length: 0.44 – 0.5 inches
Weight: 0.23 – 0.29 ounces

Distribution

There are only 13 records of the Blue-throated Mountain-gem in Colorado during the summer. It might be very rare but you’d have to keep an eye for it!

Call

Audio by Manuel Grosselet

Diet

The Blue-throated Mountain-gem eats flying insects, flower nectar and spiders.

Interesting Fact

The female Blue-throated Mountain-gem displays to the male when she is ready to mate. She has a series of short flight patterns and a special call to let him know.

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii)

Photo by Peter Wallack

Identification and Size

Found in forested areas, the Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay is a royal blue color on the back which blends into a gray breast and white throat. This stunning plumage is finished off with a ragged white eye brow.

Length: 11 – 11.8 inches
Weight: 2.4 – 3.5 ounces

Distribution

The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay can be seen all year round in the east and west areas of Colorado.

Call

Audio by Manuel Grosselet

Diet

The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay is omnivorous and will feed as and what opportunity presents. Seasonal fruits are liked and they supplement the arthropods they normally eat.

Interesting Fact

This bird is a real opportunist and will even steal from other birds’ caches of food.

Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena)

Photo by www.naturespicsonline.com

Identification and Size

The female Lazuli Bunting looks very much like a female Chaffinch, brown and regular. The male has a bright blue head with with a red breast fading into a buff color. His back is a mix of blue, white wingbars and darker blue patches. In non-breeding, he is slightly faded.

Length: 5.1 – 5.9 inches
Wingspan: 8.7 inches
Weight: 0.5 – 0.6 ounces

Distribution

As seen in the eBird distribution chart below, the Lazuli Bunting can be seen in Colorado in summer time. It spends winter in Mexico. It has been reported on the west and eastern sides of the state.

Call

Audio by Ron Overholtz

Diet

The Lazuli Bunting feeds primarily on seeds and fruits. Additionally it will eat arthropods during breeding.

Interesting Fact

The Lazuli Bunting is a capable singer and works with other local birds to create a sort of harmony that they all can sing and recognize.

Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana)

Identification

The Western Bluebird male is simply stunning. A deep red brown breast continues as defined shoulder markings and onto the back. The head and wings are a deep, bright blue with a dark eye. The female has muted blue on the wings and brown gray streaks on the breast.

Length: 6.3 – 7.5 inches
Wingspan: 11.4 – 13.4 inches
Weight: 0.8 – 1.1 ounces

Distribution

Present all year round across the state with some scarcer areas in the mountains.

Call

Audio by Thomas Magarian

Diet

During the breeding season, the Western Bluebird will eat mainly insects to provide enough protein for its chicks. Outside of this it will predominately eat seeds and fruits.

Interesting Fact

The Western Bluebird nests in cavities and relies on birds like woodpeckers to provide them with suitable holes.

Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

Photo by Noel Reynolds

Identification

A stunning and almost opposite version of the Blue Jay. The Steller’s is a dark blue with scallops on the wings. Blending into a black head with a crest marked with several rough blue streaks on the forehead.

Length: 11.8 – 13.5 inches
Wingspan: 17.3 inches
Weight: 3.5 – 4.9 ounces

Distribution

This is a relatively common bird of Colorado and can been seen throughout the state at all times of the year.

Call

Audio by Thomas Magarian

Diet

The Steller’s Jay is an opportunist and is adaptable enough to find food anywhere. Main food includes arthropods, fruits, seeds and small vertebrates.

Interesting Fact

Something I did myself several times – the Steller’s Jay is frequently misspelled as the Stellar’s Jay. Very apt misspelling!

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

Identification and Size

The male Mountain Bluebird is a stunning bright blue with some fading on the belly. The female is has a pale front and the back is brown and blue.

Length: 6.3 – 7.9 inches
Wingspan: 11 – 14.2 inches
Weight: 1.1 ounces

Distribution

As seen on the map and chart, the Mountain Bluebird is seen throughout Colorado and is present throughout the year.

Call

Audio by Richard E. Webster

Diet

During the breeding season, the Mountain Bluebird will eat small invertebrates. Outside of this, they will supplement with fruits and seeds.

Interesting Fact

The female Mountain Bluebird chooses her mate on a single criteria – the quality of the nesting cavity he offers her. That signifies how important the location is.

Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)

Photo by Andy Reago

Identification and Size

A dark blue head is offset by white eye rings. A pale breast and belly blends to yellow on the sides and then brown gray back.

Length: 4.7 – 5.9 inches
Wingspan: 8.7 – 9.5 inches
Weight: 0.5 – 0.6 ounces

Distribution

Only seen in the eastern side of the state, this rare bird may be seen as it passes through on migration.

Call

Audio by William Whitehead

Diet

The Blue-headed Vireo eats a wide variety of larger insects and supplements this in the winter with fruits.

Interesting Fact

The Blue-headed Vireo readily responds to imitation calls made by humans.

FAQs

What is the iridescent blue bird in Colorado?

The Steller’s Jay is likely to be the most seen of the brightly colored blue birds in the state.

How many Bluebirds are there?

Talking about Bluebirds rather than blue birds, there are 3 present in Colorado – the Western, Eastern and Mountain.

What is the blue bird that looks like a finch?

Unmistakably, that is the Indigo Bunting. Look for the bright blue plumage and finch like bill.

So, that is our 10 blue birds of Colorado. I have never seen the Steller’s Jay and it is now number one on my wish list.

Leave a Reply

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

Prev
Yellow Birds in Minnesota: 10 Birds with pictures

Yellow Birds in Minnesota: 10 Birds with pictures

Minnesota is situated on the Canadian border in between Wisconsin and North

Next
Birds in Arizona: 10 Birds with pictures

Birds in Arizona: 10 Birds with pictures

Arizona is known as a hot, dry state but it still has a wide range of

You May Also Like