A Space for Birds: The Sounds of Rocky Mountain National Park: Conclusion

This is my last post in this series. I hope you enjoy it!

Last week, I introduced you to the Mountain Bluebird (the state bird of Colorado). This week, I continue that conversation.

You’ll find the Mountain Bluebird munching on insects and small fruit. Watch as they “hover low over the ground and drop down to catch insects, or dart out from a branch, flycatcher fashion, and then return to another perch” (audubonguides.com). Glorious dancers of the air!

The female will build her nest in a small opening in the trees or any crevice. And although the male pretends to help, he mostly just drops the materials off, or brings none back at all. Mama will weave her nest with grasses and line them with fine grasses, soft bark, feathers, and even hair. When complete, she will lay between 4 to 8 pale blue or white eggs. 

In the winter, because they can tolerate colder climates, they can be found in Western and Northern Alaska, the Midwest, and even in the East. You might see another species, such as the Eastern Bluebird flying around, but since the Mountain Bluebird is the dominant of the two, they mostly drive the Eastern away.

They are not an endangered species (yay!), this Mountain Bluebird!  Good news to be sure; and in fact, seem to be thriving and increasing their population; so visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park will be sure to see these little blue birds, jumping and flying throughout the park, adding their own unique song to the sounds of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Call to Action: Do you have a favorite bird? Are they endangered? What can you do to help them out?