Mountain Bluebird Perched Atop Latillas Covered in Snow | Wikimedia Commons
Mountain Bluebird Perched Atop Latillas Covered in Snow | Wikimedia Commons
From March 23, 2023 post.
Though the snow is melting here in northwest New Mexico, it's not too late to post about one bird that loves to make appearances here during the winter months. Known for its beautiful sky-blue coloration, the Mountain Bluebird is a small thrush-like bird that is native to the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. These birds live here in the Four Corners area year-round but are spotted at elevations of up to 12,500 feet during breeding season. Typically, once winter arrives, they fly down to lower elevations. Mountains Bluebirds are among one of the prettiest birds of the West and are a common sight in many national parks and wilderness areas. Luckily, one of these areas is here at Aztec Ruins National Monument!
The male Mountain Bluebirds are particularly striking, with bright blue feathers on their head, back, and wings. The females are a duller blue-gray, but they are also striking in their own way. Mountain bluebirds play an important role in the ecosystem of Aztec Ruins National Monument. They feed on a variety of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, which helps control pest populations. They also provide food for predators such as hawks and falcons. The park features very diverse habitats, including riparian areas, grasslands, and juniper-pinon woodlands. All of these provide a perfect home for the mountain bluebirds. It is very common for visitors to the park to see these birds flitting around the ruins, and throughout the picnic area. Have you seen one?
#WildlifeWednesday #Birding #BlueBird #Winter #AZRU #FindYourPark
Original source can be found here.
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