Bluebird

genus of birds of North and Central America

The bluebirds are a group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous Passerine birds. They are in the genus Sialia of the thrush family (Turdidae).

Bluebirds
Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Sialia
Swainson, 1827
Type species
Motacilla sialis
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in the Americas. They have blue, or blue and rose beige, plumage. Female birds are less brightly colored than males, although color patterns are similar and there is no noticeable difference in size between the two sexes.

Bluebirds are territorial and prefer open grassland with scattered trees. Predators of young bluebirds in the nests may include snakes, cats, and raccoons. Bird species competing with bluebirds for nesting locations include the common starling, American crow, and house sparrows. House sparrows take over the nesting sites of bluebirds, killing young, smashing eggs, and probably killing adult bluebirds.[1]

Bluebirds species include:

References change

  1. Gowaty, Patricia Adair (1984). "House sparrows kill eastern bluebirds" (PDF). Journal of Field Ornithology. 55 (3): 378–380. JSTOR 4512922.