The graceful short-distance flight of a bright male bluebird is a memorable sight. The Mountain bluebird haunts open country, providing an irreplaceable color note in the gray sagebrush landscape; particularly when in migration their brilliant blues flash in the desert sun in startling contrast to the prevailing dull colors of most other birds.

Like other bluebirds, it readily accepts nest boxes. This accessibility, along with its sky-blue color, have always endeared it to nature lovers and made it a favorite of many.

In Oregon, it is a common breeder and transient east of the Cascade summit except in treeless expanses. West of the Cascade summit, it breeds locally above 3,500 feet, and in higher elevations in the Siskiyou Mountains. It is a rare to uncommon migrant in the higher West Cascades and is uncommon in winter.

Hear the song of the Mountain bluebird

Photo by Justin Falk