Heralds of Spring

Attract mountain bluebirds with nest boxes, mealworms and more

- AMY GRISAK

While robins are classic harbingers of spring, birding enthusiasts in parts of the West welcome the season with the return of the mountain bluebirds.

Migrating from their winter range as far south as Mexico, mountain bluebirds travel northward to Alaska and the Yukon Territory and east to the Dakotas and Manitoba.

Look for them in areas with short grasses and scattered trees at elevations up to 12,500 feet. "They like open areas, grasslands and farmlands," says Jane Brockway, president of Mountain Bluebird Trails.

Their habitat needs differ from their closest relative, the western bluebird, although sometimes they do flock together.

Striking Blues

While both western and mountain bluebirds sport vibrant blue hues, male mountain bluebirds are a brilliant turquoise with paler blue and white plumage underneath.