Bluebirds are like flying jewels, captivating kids and adults alike with their vibrant colors. In California, the skies and trees come alive with these enchanting blue friends. Blue Birds in California add a touch of magic to the natural landscape, making every outdoor adventure a delightful experience. With its remarkable biodiversity, from arid deserts to snow-capped sierras, California offers a mosaic of habitats for over 600 bird species.
Among the grebes, hawks, finches, and orioles, numerous blue-feathered jewels shine brightly. This article explores 12 dazzling types of bluebirds in California, showcasing their unique ecologies, behaviors, and vibrant plumages.
From backyard favorites to elusive high-altitude specialists, discover the incredible blue birds that contribute to California’s rich avian heritage.
Let’s find these beautiful blue friends together! Here are the 12 types of bluebirds in California
Table of Contents
1. Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird, a charming small thrush, graces the mountainous regions of western North America. These lovely birds are easily recognizable by their beautiful blue plumage.
Male Mountain Bluebirds are stunning turquoise-blue on top, with lighter blue underneath and a white lower belly. Females are more understated, with dull blue wings and tails, and grey on their breasts, crowns, and backs. In the fall, females show a touch of red-orange on their throats and breasts, adding to their charm.
These birds are not just pretty to look at; they have a delightful song too. The males sing a high, warbled “chur chur,” while their call is a simple, thin “few.” The Mountain Bluebird, honored as the state bird of Idaho and Nevada, is an omnivore, feeding on insects like spiders, grasshoppers, and flies, as well as small fruits.
Next time you’re exploring the mountains, keep an eye and an ear out for these delightful birds. Their bright blue feathers and sweet songs add a splash of color and a touch of joy to the rugged landscape.
2. California Scrub-jay
The California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) is a striking bird native to western North America, found from southern British Columbia through California to western Nevada. This medium-sized bird, about 11–12 inches long with a 15-inch wingspan, boasts a blue head, wings, and tail, a gray-brown back, and grayish underparts.
Its throat is whitish with a blue necklace, and it has distinctive white eyebrows. Unlike migratory birds, the California scrub jay stays in one place year-round, often thriving in urban areas where it becomes quite friendly and visits bird feeders. These birds were once grouped with Woodhouse’s scrub jay, collectively known as the Western Scrub-Jay, and were also lumped with the Island and Florida scrub jays under the name “scrub jay.”
Known for their harsh, scratchy calls, these jays are highly adaptable, making themselves at home in both rural and urban environments.
Despite often being mistaken for Blue Jays, California scrub jays are a distinct species, notable for their intelligence and bold behavior, adding vibrant life to the regions they inhabit.
3. Steller’s Jay
The Steller’s Jay is a striking bird native to western North America, often found in northern California and along the western coast. Known for its bold blue and black plumage, this medium-sized bird is easily recognizable.
The Steller’s Jay has a tall, crest on its head, which it can raise or flatten, adding to its dramatic appearance.
These jays prefer evergreen forests but are also common in campgrounds, parks, and backyards. They are very adaptable and are known to frequent bird feeders, making them a familiar sight for many Californians.
Steller’s Jays are also famous for their noisy and varied calls, often heard before they are seen. They have a curious and intelligent nature, frequently mimicking the sounds of other birds and even human-made noises.
With their vibrant colors and lively personalities, Steller’s Jays are a delightful addition to California’s diverse bird population.
Their adaptability and bold behavior make them one of the most captivating bluebirds you can encounter in the state.
4. Lazuli Bunting
Bill Bouton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) is a dazzling North American songbird named after the vibrant lapis lazuli gemstone. Male Lazuli Buntings are easy to spot with their bright blue heads and backs, conspicuous white wing bars, and light rusty breasts paired with white bellies.
These colors may remind you of the eastern and western bluebirds, but Lazuli Buntings are smaller, measuring about 5 to 5.9 inches long. They have distinctive wing bars and a short, conical bill that sets them apart.
Females, on the other hand, have a more subdued brown coloration, grayer on top and warmer underneath.
They can be distinguished from female Indigo Buntings by their two thin, pale wing bars and subtle plumage differences.
These lovely birds are a joy to watch, bringing a splash of color and a lively song to California’s landscapes.
Whether you’re in a wooded area, a shrubland, or even a well-planted backyard, keep an eye out for these little gems.
The Lazuli Bunting adds a unique charm to California’s birdwatching experience with its stunning colors and cheerful presence.5. Belted Kingfisher
5. Belted Kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a captivating bird found throughout North America, including California. This stocky, medium-sized bird measures between 11 and 14 inches in length, with a wingspan of 19 to 23 inches.
One of the kingfisher’s standout features is its large head with a shaggy crest and a long, heavy bill, black with a grey base.
Interestingly, the Belted Kingfisher shows reverse sexual dimorphism, meaning the females are more brightly colored than the males.
Both sexes have a slate blue head, a large white collar, and a blue band across the breast.
Their backs and wings are slate blue with black feather tips dotted with small white spots. The adult female also sports a rufous band across the upper belly that extends down the flanks, a unique trait distinguishing her from the male.
These birds are often seen near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, where they dive to catch fish and other aquatic prey.
Their loud, rattling calls are unmistakable and often heard before the bird is seen.
6. Western Kingbird
The Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) is a striking flycatcher commonly found throughout the western regions of North America, extending as far south as Mexico. This bird is known for its vibrant gray and yellow plumage, with adults displaying hidden crimson feathers during courtship or when confronting intruders.
Western Kingbirds are highly territorial and often mistaken for other kingbird species like
Cassin’s Kingbird, Couch’s Kingbird, or the Tropical Kingbird due to their yellow coloring. However, they can be easily identified by their distinctive black, squared tail with white edges.
These birds are typically seen perched on fences, wires, or tree branches, ready to catch insects mid-flight. Their bold behavior and striking appearance make them a delightful sight for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts across California.
In summary, the Western Kingbird is a beautiful and assertive bird, adding a splash of color and energy to the landscapes of California. Keep an eye out for these fascinating birds on your next outdoor adventure!
7. Varied Bunting
Vickie J Anderson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) is a stunning songbird from the cardinal family, Cardinalidae.
The Varied Bunting is a stocky bird with a short tail and rounded bill. It measures about 4.3 to 5.5 inches in length, has an 8.3-inch wingspan, and weighs between 0.39 to 0.46 ounces.
Breeding males are particularly eye-catching with their purple-red bodies and a bright red patch on the nape, which turns browner in the fall. Females, on the other hand, are plain light brown and resemble female Indigo Buntings but lack streaking on the breast.
These buntings thrive in deserts and dry shrublands, favoring thorny brush thickets, thorn forests, scrubby woodlands, and overgrown clearings. They usually forage on the ground for insects, fruits, and seeds. Varied Buntings build open-cup nests made of grass and spider webs, usually in the outer branches of thorny shrubs near water sources.
Females lay two to five bluish-white to bluish-green eggs, which they incubate for about 14 days. The young are fully feathered within 10 days and leave the nest a few days later.
In summary, the Varied Bunting is a beautiful and unique bird that brings a splash of color to the deserts and shrublands of California.
8. Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small, migratory thrush that brings vibrant color to open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards across North America.
Males are particularly striking with their bright blue heads, backs, and wings, and a brownish-red chest, making them a favorite among bird watchers.
Females, while more subdued, display grayish-blue feathers with lighter, more orange-tinted breasts. These birds measure between 6.3 to 8.3 inches in length, have a wingspan of 9.8 to 12.6 inches, and weigh around 0.95 to 1.20 ounces. Known for their melodious calls and songs, males often sing soft warbles like “jeew” or “chir-wi,” and their complex song can sound like “chiti WEEW wewidoo.”
Eastern Bluebirds thrive in open areas with sparse trees, making orchards and farmlands ideal for nesting.
They often use tree cavities or birdhouses, making them common visitors to backyards with nesting boxes. As the state bird of Missouri and New York, the Eastern Bluebird is a cherished symbol of beauty and song in various parts of the United States.
9. Magnificent Hummingbird
Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Magnificent Hummingbird is a stunning, small bird that certainly lives up to its name. Males are particularly striking with their iridescent green and blue feathers, a brilliant purple crown, and a shiny green throat.
Females are more modestly colored but still beautiful, with green upperparts and grayish underparts. These hummingbirds are often found in mountainous regions, where they feed on nectar from a variety of flowers.
They are also known to catch insects mid-air, showcasing their incredible agility. Setting up hummingbird feeders can attract these magnificent birds to your garden, providing a wonderful display of nature’s beauty.
Both the Eastern Bluebird and the Magnificent Hummingbird add a splash of color and a touch of magic to California’s diverse bird population. Keep an eye out for these lovely birds during your outdoor adventures!
10. Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow is the most widespread swallow species globally, with sightings reported as far as Antarctica. Known for their graceful and agile flight, these birds are often seen swooping through the air catching a variety of flying insects.
Their diet includes flies, beetles, wasps, wild bees, winged ants, and true bugs.
With streamlined bodies and distinctive forked tails, Barn Swallows are a delightful sight in the open skies of California. These birds are not only a joy to watch but also play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, making them an important part of the ecosystem.
Keep an eye out for these aerial acrobats as they dart gracefully across fields and open areas, showcasing their remarkable flying skills and contributing to the natural beauty of California’s diverse birdlife.
11. Little Blue Heron
The Little Blue Heron is a small heron with dark plumage and a distinctive two-toned bill. What’s fascinating about these birds is that juveniles are entirely white, closely resembling snowy egrets, before they mature into their darker feathers.
During the breeding season, adults develop unique coloration on their heads, legs, and feet, making them even more striking. The Little Blue Heron symbolizes calmness, presence, and balance, encouraging us to embrace our uniqueness and find inner peace.
These birds inhabit wetlands and marshes, where their serene presence adds to the tranquility of these environments.
Observing a Little Blue Heron can remind us of the beauty in diversity and the importance of nurturing all aspects of ourselves.
Their graceful demeanor and peaceful habitats make them a cherished sight in the natural landscapes of California.
12. Blue Grosbeak
DickDaniels (http://carolinabirds.org/), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Blue Grosbeak is a striking medium-sized bird that belongs to the cardinal family. These migratory birds spend their winters in Central America and migrate to breed in northern Mexico and the southern United States, including California.
Male Blue Grosbeaks are known for their vibrant blue plumage, highlighted by two distinct brown wing bars. They thrive in brushy habitats and open woodlands, where their rich, melodious songs fill the air.
Their presence adds a beautiful splash of color to the landscape, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.
With their distinctive looks and enchanting songs, Blue Grosbeaks are a delightful sight in California’s diverse birdlife.
Wrap it up: These 12 blue birds add a touch of beauty and intrigue to California’s diverse ecosystems. Whether you’re watching swallows dart through the air, admiring the vibrant plumage of a Blue Grosbeak, or observing the serene presence of a Little Blue Heron, these birds offer a wonderful glimpse into the natural world!