In this post we will be investigating the resident and visiting blue or partly blue colored species of birds that can be found in the northern state of Michigan. With a huge diversity of birds in the state, only a few of them have blue plumage. From the stunning Black-throated Blue Warbler to the exotic Belted Kingfisher, Michigan has a lot to offer for bird watchers.

Michigan State

Michigan State is one of the northern most states of the continental United States. It is known as the Wolverine State and the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is the adopted bird. The largest city in Michigan is Detroit, which is the largest city on the American / Canadian border. While Michigan is the 11th largest U.S. state, it is only 22nd in land size. The main land masses are the Lower and Upper Peninsula surrounding Lake Michigan. This unique geography has resulted in wonderful bird watching potential. According to eBird, birders can see around 450 species in Michigan and it rates the state as 29th. However, it is 8th for the most submitted checklists which more accurately reflects how popular bird watching is in the state.  Furthermore, the climate of Michigan plays an important role in attracting birds to the state. Very cold winters and warm, humid summers are mitigated by the large lakes which moderate these temperatures along their shores.  

Birds of Michigan

The most iconic bird (American Robin excluded) is the very rare Kirtland’s Warbler, which only breeds in parts of Michigan and Wisconsin and migrates to the Bahamas in the winter. At the other end of the scale, there are European introductions like the European Starling and House Sparrow.

The unique environment consisting of large bodies of water also means that ducks, cranes and swans are plentiful. In the forests, woodpeckers rule with nearly half the number of U.S. species being seen in the state. 

With so many diverse species of birds seen in Michigan, which of them are blue? Here are our Top 10 blue birds resident or visiting Michigan State.

Blue Birds in Michigan: top 10

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Identification
The Tree Swallow is typical in that its plumage is stunning in sunlight. Iridescent blue-green males and the more muted females and juveniles are always a delight to see, with the contrast of the white underneath.  

Tree Swallows are a medium sized swallow and range from 4.7 – 5.9 inches in length and the wingspan is 11.8 – 13.8 inches. They weigh between 0.6 and 0.9 oz, which is about the same as a new pencil.  

Distribution



According to eBird, Tree Swallows can be found across the American continent from wintering in Panama in the south to spending summer in Alaska, where they breed. Thus, they are much less commonly seen in the winter months in Michigan as shown in the bar chart below.

Call

Diet
Like other swallows and martins, they feed on the wing, catching insects often over water. They will also feed on berries if unable to source enough insects.

Interesting Fact 
The Tree Swallow can nest in the same holes as the Eastern Bluebird and as humans began to build nesting boxes for them, the swallows have adopted the boxes as well. 

Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea)

Identification
The Cerulean Warbler is a stunning member of the wood warbler family. It can be found in the canopy layer of deciduous forests and so, is difficult to see. The adult male has a pale blue black with strong black and white bars. It is white underneath with a blue band across the throat and blue streaks along the sides of the breast. The female is a yellow/green shade with darker barring on the wing. 

The Cerulean Warbler is a fairly compact member of the warbler family at 4.3 inches long and with a wingspan of 7.9 inches. It weighs 0.3 ounces, which is slightly more than a human eye.

Distribution



The range map above shows that this warbler can be found in the southern part of Michigan only. It migrates to the eastern Andes in the winter and only visits Michigan during the summer months, as seen in the distribution table below.

Call 

Diet
Similar to other warblers, the Cerulean feeds on insects but may also include other food. There has been little study of this secretive bird and its feeding and breeding habits.

Interesting Fact 
The parasitic cowbird will lay its eggs in the Cerulean Warbler nest and this may be one of the reasons it is now classed as Near Threatened. 

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)

Identification
Another member of the wood warbler family, the male Black-throated Blue Warbler is also stunning with a darker blue back and a black throat. The female is duller but with a gray tinge to her back. The black, blue and white of this warbler makes it a great bird watching find.

Slightly larger than the Cerulean Warbler, this warbler is 4.3 – 5.1 inches in length and has a wingspan of 7.5 – 7.9 inches. Weight is very similar though, at 0.3 – 0.4 oz.

Distribution



While it migrates to the Caribbean in the winter, during the summer and autumn months it can be found across Michigan. In the leaf-filled understory of forests, the warbler forages for insects and often spends quite some time working over an area. This makes it easier to find and watch than other, more flighty, birds.

Call

Diet
The Black-throated Blue Warbler is insectivorous, feeding on flies and their larvae, supplemented occasionally with small snails.

Interesting Fact
Although it primarily feeds on insects, the Black-throated Blue Warbler will also seek out nectar. At times it can be seen at hummingbird feeders drinking sugar water.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Identification
Nuthatches are unmistakable as they are often seen sticking out from the side of trees at a seemingly impossible angle. The sharp demarcation between the black cap and white breast is also striking. This gorgeous plumage is completed with a gray blue back and black barring. 

This medium sized nuthatch has a length of 5.1 – 5.5 inches and wingspan of 7.9 – 10.6 inches. Its weight varies between 0.6 and 1.1 ounces, which is around the same as a slice of bread.

Distribution

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a common resident of Michigan forests and other tree filled areas like parks. It can be seen throughout the year.

Call

Diet
This nuthatch (the largest of the American species) usually feeds on insects but loves seeds and suet found on bird feeders. It will eat greedily and store seeds away in tree bark. 

Interesting Fact
Pairs of White-breasted Nuthatch remain together, possibly for life and have a specific courtship procedure which involves a lot of the male feeding the female. 

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Identification
This heron is unmistakable, even for non-birders. It is the largest heron with plumage varying from pale to dark blue. Its bill can be pale to bright orange. The Great Blue Heron can be found across Michigan anywhere that there are bodies of water or wetlands. Like other herons, it is usually alone but at certain times it will group with others to form a spectacular sight.

Great Blue Herons are larger and heavier than other egrets. Weighing in at 74.1 – 88.2 ounces, which is roughly the same as 20 apples. Its length is 38.2 – 53.9 inches and it has a wingspan of 65.8 – 79.1 inches, which is close to 2 meters.

Distribution

This heron is very adaptable, which probably accounts for its stable and successful widespread population, even in colder areas of the state. 

The reduced sightings shown in the bar chart during the winter months is probably more to do with less bird watching rather than less birds. 

Call

Diet
The Great Blue Heron feeds, like others, on almost any type of fish it can find but also frogs, turtles and other smaller birds. 

Interesting Fact
For non-birders, the most amazing thing about herons is their ability to rest and nest high up in trees. Whilst they are impossibly elegant while stalking prey in the water, they look ungainly and comical when in trees.

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Identification
The Blue Jay is undoubtedly one of the most iconic American birds. The pale gray underparts and bright blue back, along with its crest make it easily identifiable across the state and the country. The most interesting feature, however, has to be the scalloping on the back and down the tail. It is one of the few common birds that is not treated with some disdain, even though it can be aggressive to other birds at backyard feeders. Its attractive plumage and intelligence makes it popular with humans.

The Blue Jay is between 9.8 and 11.8 inches long with a wingspan of 13.4 – 16.9 inches. It weighs in at 2.5 – 3.5 ounces, which is the same as 3 standard envelopes.

Distribution

As seen by the eBird range map above and bar chart below, the Blue Jay is seen frequently all year round across the whole of Michigan. It should nest only in forests but has also adapted to a more urban life. 

Call

Diet
The Blue Jay will eat just about anything, it is totally omnivorous. Most of its diet is vegetable matter but it will also eat insects, eggs and other small animals.

Interesting Fact
The Blue Jay is not actually blue. It is a trick of the light combined with the melanin levels in their feathers that make them appear blue.

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

Identification
Another easily identifiable bird is the Belted Kingfisher. With a rather unkempt looking crest and its large size and distinct colors, it is an easy spot. The back is almost all mid-blue/gray with a white collar around the neck. 

This large kingfisher weighs in at 4.9 – 6.0 ounces, which is around the same as a hockey puck. The length of the kingfisher is 11.0 – 13.8 inches and the wingspan is 18.9 – 22.8 inches.

Distribution

This extremely attractive bird can be found all year round in Michigan, anywhere that it can fish.

Call

Diet
With typical kingfisher behavior, the Belted Kingfisher dives into water for food. It usually eats fish but will take other water dwelling animals and insects.

Interesting Fact
The male and female appear similar in plumage but just for once, the female upstages the male with an extra rusty, red band across her belly.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

Identification
At first glance this little bird looks a bit dull. But, look again. Its blue plumage is offset by the dark eye and white ring around it, finished off with a long, black eyebrow. The bill is long and thin and reflects its high pitched call.

This gnatcatcher is tiny at only 3.9 – 4.3 inches long and with a wingspan of 6.3 inches. Weighing in at 0.2 – 0.3 ounces, it is the same as a quarter.

Distribution

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is migratory, preferring Central American winters but can be seen during late spring, summer and early autumn in Michigan. 

Call

Diet
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is usually seen in wooded areas, sparse or thick. It feeds, as the name suggests, on small insects.  

Interesting Fact
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher disguises its nest using a variety of material including stolen spider webs and then decorates it with moss.  

Eastern Bluebird

Identification
The male Eastern Bluebird is a bright blue on the back and equally vivid orange underneath with a white breast. The female has the same tones, just muted. It is an unmistakable and beautiful bird.

Male and female birds are alike in size with length 6.3 – 8.3 inches and the wingspan is 9.8 – 12.6 inches. They weigh around an ounce, the same as 6 sheets of paper.

Distribution



The Eastern Bluebird is a migratory bird, flying south to breed. However, some are resident and so, it can be seen all year round as shown in the frequency bar chart below.

Call

Diet
The Eastern Bluebird prefers to eat insects including beetles, spiders and worms. In winter, when food is more scarce it will eat berries.

Interesting Fact
The Eastern Bluebird is named because it is more likely to be found on the central and eastern side of the United States. However, it can also be found as far south as Nicaragua.

Indigo Bunting

Identification
The male Indigo Bunting is a vivid turquoise blue, a shade rarely seen in birds. It fades into a mottled blue and brown in non-breeding periods. The females are hard to identify, being a plain brown with white throat. 

The bunting has a length of 4.7 – 5.1 inches and wingspan of 7.5 – 8.7 inches. It weighs between 0.4 and 0.6 ounces, the same as an empty soda can.

Distribution

The Indigo Bunting is migratory, spending winters in Central America and the Caribbean. It returns for summer and autumn and can be seen across the state of Michigan.

Call

Diet
Whilst in Michigan and other U.S. states, the Indigo Bunting eats mostly insects and spiders. It will also feed on seeds and berries.

Interesting Fact
Using stars for guidance, Indigo Buntings migrate to Central America by flying at night. They are able to track stars, even as they move across the night sky.

Blue birds in Michigan FAQs

So, there it is. Our pick of blue birds found in Michigan State. Thanks for reading and leave a comment with your favorite blue bird.