Bluebirds (three species)
There are three species of bluebirds that frequent Colorado, but the Eastern Bluebird isn’t commonly seen and looks much like the Mountain Bluebird, at left — while the Western Bluebird, right, sports similar colors as the Denver Broncos and is easily distinguished from the other two.
What’s cool: The feathers of bluebirds aren’t actually blue. Most birds’ feathers have pigment, such as melanin or carotenoids. How do they get to be blue? According to Wild Birds Unlimited, “the top transparent layer of each bluebird feather is filled with minuscule pockets of air. When sunlight strikes these pockets, all of the other visible wavelengths of light are absorbed. Only blue escapes.”
What’s even cooler: Bluebirds will use artificial nest boxes. At , under the tab “birdhouses” and the category “Thrushes,” you can see plans and dimensions for a bluebird nest box.
What’s for dinner: Bluebirds eat mealworms and other insects. The Western bluebird perches to scan for its food; the mountain bluebird can hover — adaptive of it, since there are fewer trees to perch on at higher altitudes.
What’s on their iPod: Courting male bluebirds can sing 400 to 1,000 songs per hour.
When to see them: March is the best month; April’s second-best.
Photos by Dick Vogel •Source: Wild Birds Unlimited; ; Audubon Society of Greater Denver
