Idaho is the home to the Snake River which flows out from Yellowstone National Park. This state has rich vegetation which attracts all kinds of birds.
But do you know what is the state bird of Idaho?
The state bird of Idaho is Mountain Bluebird which got this status in 1931. These birds have a spectacular azure blue breasts and you can easily differentiate between the male and female mountain bluebird.
And In this article, I’ll explain all the facts related to the state bird of Idaho.
Why is the Mountain Bluebird the state bird for Idaho?
The mountain bluebird stays in Idaho for the whole year and the government of this state designated this bird with protected status.
The nesting sites of these birds were getting lost due to the loss of old trees and the use of pesticides.
When did the Mountain Bluebird become the state bird of Idaho?
The General Assembly of Idaho adopted the Mountain Bluebird as their state bird on February 28, 1931. These birds served as the symbol of happiness, love, and hope.
The school children of Idaho suggested this bird. The bluebird appears as an omen and an advisor as per the Native American lore. This state shares its state bird with Nevada.
What does the state bird of Idaho look like?
The length of the mountain bluebird measures about an average of six inches and can grow up to seven inches.
The wingspan of these birds is between 11 to 14 inches while their weight is about one ounce. The male mountain bluebird features an azure blue head and a bluish-white stomach.
The female mountain bluebird features a brown back, stomach, rump, tail, and head with blue wings. These birds have their unique zig-zag flight pattern which makes it easy to identify them.
How do these birds behave?
The mountain bluebirds prefer the wide-open spaces and prefer the higher ground at an elevation of about 5000 feet. During the summer season, they willingly live at an elevation of up to 12,000 feet.
While in the winter season, they relocate to the state’s valleys or sea level. These birds can get their favorite stomping grounds but they live in the foothills of the lowlands when the food is scarce.
The male bird chooses an area for living while the female bird collects the materials and builds the nest.
The male bluebirds must choose the territory first and then they win the heart and logical mind of the female birds.
The female birds don’t pair with the male birds who choose the bad area as they prioritize their safety. Once they found their mate, these birds stay monogamous.
After choosing the breeding territory, the male birds sing loudly to attract the females and they sing until an appropriate female notices them and come with him into his territory.
During this time, the male bird encourages the female bird to look at the available nesting options by waving, flapping wings, and poking his head in & out of nesting holes.
When the birds choose their nesting site, they start building their home. Both of these birds seemingly gather materials and the female bird constructs the home.
The nest construction is carried out by female birds and they shop for the materials while the male birds hunt the food and bring it back to the under-construction nest.
The male bluebirds feed the meal from beak to beak and both of these birds copulate throughout the nest building so that the female can become pregnant.
The female birds lay eggs in the nest once the construction of the nest gets completed. The duty of incubation is with the female birds and it takes 13 to 14 days.
While the male birds gather food for the whole family and bring it to the nest. The nest of these birds is cleaned by both male and female birds.
Do Mountain Bluebirds form communities?
The mountain bluebirds form the nuclear family communities and breed annually. The fledglings from the prior broods live in nearby areas and sometimes these birds help their parents feed their newborns.
The nests of these birds are different from other bird species. Some species of birds dig a hole with their beak or pile grass but the mountain bluebirds weave the basket-like nest with hardy materials like feathers, straw, woven grass, pine needles, and hair.
These birds clean the materials before using them and then makes them a part of their nest.
Their basket-like nest has a depth of three to four inches which provides enough space for the parents and their eggs.
Generally, their nests are inside an existing tree cavity and they form a hole in the trees just like woodpeckers. This allows these birds to hide inside the cavity and form their house.
What do Mountain Bluebirds eat?
The mountain bluebirds usually eat both vegetation and meat. They prefer berries, elderberries, grapes, and insects. In fall and winter, the diet of these birds adds other fruits to their diets.
Conclusion
In 1931, the mountain bluebird got the official state bird status for Idaho. This bird stays in nuclear communities and sometimes their babies help them to raise their new brood.
When it comes to the diet of these birds, it is generally omnivorous and can prefer grapes, insects, berries, and some more fruits.
At last, I hope this article may have helped you in some ways. Thank You For Reading!
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