The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) was officially designated the state bird of Idaho in 1931. This medium-sized thrush has captivated the hearts of Idahoans with its beautiful blue plumage and melodious song for generations. But why exactly was the mountain bluebird chosen to represent the Gem State?
The mountain bluebird’s deep ties to Idaho
The mountain bluebird is a year-round resident of Idaho that can be found across most of the state. These birds thrive in the open, mountainous habitats that cover much of Idaho. They nest in tree cavities in both coniferous and deciduous forests up to 10,000 feet in elevation. The mountain bluebird is also strongly associated with Idaho’s state flower, the syringa. They rely on the berries of syringa bushes as an important food source in the fall and winter.
Native American tribes, early explorers, and pioneers in Idaho all noted the beauty of these sky-blue birds. Their bright color stands out against the backdrop of Idaho’s mountains and valleys. The Nez Perce tribe even believes the Great Spirit created the mountain bluebird to cheer man with its songs. The strong connection between mountain bluebirds and the landscapes of Idaho made them seem like a natural choice for state bird.
Distinctive blue plumage
The male mountain bluebird has brilliant, sky-blue feathers covering its head, back, wings, and tail. Females are more subdued with gray-blue wings and tail and a duller blue wash over the head and back. The mountain bluebird’s thin, curved bill and large eyes are black. These special adaptations help locate and catch insect prey while in flight. Mountain bluebirds perch upright on branches with their wings folded to show off their colorful plumage.
When settlers first encountered these strikingly blue birds in Idaho, they were reminded of the bluebird of happiness. While Eastern bluebirds traditionally hold this symbolic role, mountain bluebirds evoke the same feelings of joy and optimism. Their bright blue feathers stand out against the sagebrush sea or forested slopes of Idaho. This distinctive splash of color in the landscape parallels the state’s nickname as the “Gem State.”
Melodious song
Male mountain bluebirds sing a soft, warbling song to attract females and defend nesting territories. Their song consists of melodious phrases repeated 3-6 times. It has been described as sounding like “chur-lee” or “tur-a-lee.” The mountain bluebird’s voice is gentle and less piercing than many other songbirds. This pleasant song echoing across mountain meadows and forest clearings provided early Idaho settlers a sense of peace and comfort.
The mountain bluebird breeds in Idaho between April and August. Males sing from high perches to mark their territory and attract potential mates. Their song is an iconic sound of the Idaho spring and summer. Locals recognize the mountain bluebird’s return each year as a sign of warmer weather and renewed life in the mountains. The beauty of their song adds to the bluebird’s appeal as a state symbol.
Adaptable and resilient nature
Mountain bluebirds thrive in the varied habitats and challenging conditions of Idaho. They live year-round across elevations ranging from 3,500 feet in river valleys to over 10,000 feet in subalpine forests. Mountain bluebirds readily nest in man-made bird boxes and forage in open habitats like pastures, parks, and ski runs.
These birds have proven adaptable and resilient in the face of Idaho’s cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Their ability to find food and take shelter in the harsh mountain environment parallels the hardy, pioneering spirit of Idahoans. Just as Idaho’s early settlers persevered through difficult conditions, mountain bluebirds survive and flourish through their resourcefulness and endurance.
Role in controlling insects
Mountain bluebirds are important natural predators of harmful insects in Idaho. They feed predominantly on grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, ants, bees, and wasps. Bluebirds hunt flying insects from high perches and snatch bugs off the ground. A family of bluebirds can consume thousands of insects daily, helping to control pest populations on farms and forests.
Many insects the mountain bluebird preys on damage crops and timber in Idaho. By managing these insect pests, bluebirds provide a valuable ecosystem service to Idaho’s agriculture and forestry industries. This industrious bird contributes to Idaho’s economy while enhancing the state’s natural beauty.
Popularity among Idaho citizens
Leading up to its designation as state bird, the mountain bluebird received overwhelming support from Idaho citizens. A 1930 survey conducted by the Idaho Statesman newspaper showed the mountain bluebird was the public’s top choice for state bird. Voters favored the bluebird’s beauty, voice, and importance to agriculture.
School children across Idaho also voted in support of the mountain bluebird. They were drawn to the bluebird’s intelligence, usefulness, and bright color. Making this popular bird the state symbol reinforced Idahoans’ sense of pride in their unique natural heritage.
Timing aligned with statehood
Another key factor in the mountain bluebird’s selection was timing. Idaho became a state in 1890. In the decades after statehood, groups across the country began campaigning for official state birds as symbols of state pride and identity. The movement to designate the mountain bluebird as Idaho’s symbol gained traction in the late 1920s.
Choosing the bluebird in 1931, about 40 years after Idaho became a state, aligned with the peak of the broader state bird campaign. Making the mountain bluebird the state bird helped Idaho reinforce its identity during a time of growing nationalism and state spirit.
Support from state agencies
Government agencies in Idaho also encouraged the mountain bluebird designation. J.M. Aldrich, President of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, advocated for the mountain bluebird in the 1920s. The Idaho Department of Public Instruction prepared material touting the bluebird’s merits as a state symbol for use in public schools.
This institutional support from wildlife conservationists and education officials gave the campaign legitimacy. Their expertise in Idaho’s nature and culture helped confirm the mountain bluebird as an appropriate choice for state bird.
Conclusion
In summary, the mountain bluebird was selected as the official state bird of Idaho due to its:
- Deep ties to Idaho’s landscape and culture
- Striking blue plumage
- Pleasant song
- Hardy, adaptable nature
- Value in controlling insect pests
- Popularity among Idaho citizens
- Timing aligned with early 20th century statehood movements
- Endorsement from government agencies
This beloved songbird of the mountains embodied Idaho’s spirit and natural heritage. The mountain bluebird’s beauty, voice, resilience, usefulness, and public appeal made it the perfect choice to represent the Gem State when Idaho was strengthening its identity and symbols in the early 1900s. The bluebird remains a source of state pride today, reminding Idahoans of the wonders of their mountain home.
Key Facts About the Mountain Bluebird
Scientific Name | Sialia currucoides |
---|---|
Wingspan | 11.8-15.8 in |
Length | 6.3-10.2 in |
Weight | 0.9-1.1 oz |
Population in Idaho | 62,000 |
Diet | Insects, berries |
Key Threats | Habitat loss, climate change |
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Timeline of Mountain Bluebird State Symbol History
Year | Event |
---|---|
1924 | Idaho Fish and Game Commission President J.M. Aldrich begins advocating for mountain bluebird as state symbol |
1926 | Idaho Federation of Women’s Clubs adopts resolution supporting mountain bluebird |
1930 | Statewide poll by Idaho Statesman shows public favor for mountain bluebird as state bird |
1931 | Idaho legislature designates mountain bluebird as official state bird |
1949 | Mountain bluebird appears on Idaho’s state license plate for the first time |
1985 | Idaho Postal Service issues mountain bluebird commemorative stamp |
Mountain Bluebird Habitat in Idaho
Mountain bluebirds live year-round across most of Idaho. They thrive in relatively open country and can be found in the following habitats:
- Coniferous forests
- Aspen groves
- Riparian woodlands
- Sagebrush steppe
- High elevation meadows
- Rural pastures
- Parks and gardens
- Golf courses
- Ski runs
Nesting often occurs in tree cavities in both live and dead trees. Bluebirds also readily use nest boxes. Key features bluebirds need are open terrain for hunting insects and suitable nesting sites with a cavity entrance about 1.5 inches across.
Breeding Range
Mountain bluebirds breed in all regions of Idaho from April to August. They can be found nesting in appropriate habitat throughout the state except for the wetter northern Panhandle region.
Wintering Range
Most mountain bluebirds that breed in Idaho migrate to lower elevations in fall but remain in the state year-round. Some may wander east into Wyoming or south into Utah during the coldest winter months when food is scarce.
Threats Facing the Mountain Bluebird
The mountain bluebird still has a healthy population in Idaho and is not considered a species of conservation concern. However, some threats to their habitat and survival exist. Ongoing conservation efforts can help maintain thriving mountain bluebird numbers.
Habitat Loss
Conversion of land for housing development, agriculture, and other human uses decreases open habitats bluebirds rely on. Nesting cavities may also decline with urbanization and removal of dead trees.
Invasive Species
Non-native bird species like European starlings compete with bluebirds for nesting sites. House sparrows may also attack and kill bluebird adults, nestlings, and eggs.
Climate Change
Shifting climatic conditions could reduce bluebird food supplies. Increased drought may cause declines in berry production and insect populations. Warmer weather may also enable westward expansion of competing species.
Pesticides
Pesticide use can reduce insect prey populations and may poison bluebirds if they ingest contaminated insects or berries.
Conservation Actions
While mountain bluebirds are currently secure in Idaho, the following conservation practices can ensure their continued success:
- Protecting expanses of open forest and shrubland habitat
- Leaving standing dead trees and fallen logs for nesting
- Putting up nest boxes in suitable habitat
- Monitoring and controlling invasive bird species
- Promoting organic agriculture and sustainable land use
- Educating landowners to help conserve bluebird habitat
The Idaho Bird Conservation Partnership’s Mountain Bluebird Conservation Plan provides a detailed blueprint for maintaining healthy bluebird populations.
Fun Facts About Mountain Bluebirds
- Mountain bluebirds hover in flight to spot insects on the ground.
- They migrate during the day, not at night like many birds.
- Male bluebirds make elaborate displays during courtship rituals like showing off nest sites.
- Mountain bluebird eggs are a beautiful pale blue color.
- Young bluebirds leave the nest at age 21-27 days but remain dependent on their parents for another 3-4 weeks.
- Mountain bluebirds mate for life and return to the same nesting area each year.
- They can be attracted to yards by putting up nest boxes and planting berry bushes.
- Native Americans have many legends featuring bluebirds as symbols of joy, protection, and renewal.
- Seeing a bluebird on your wedding day is considered good luck!
Why Protect the Mountain Bluebird?
Here are some of the top reasons why it is important to conserve mountain bluebirds in Idaho:
- They are the official state bird and a symbol of Idaho’s identity.
- Their colorful beauty and melodic songs contribute to Idaho’s rich biodiversity.
- They provide natural insect control that benefits agriculture and forestry.
- Bluebirds are an indicator of the health of forest and shrubland habitats.
- They have cultural significance to Native American tribes in Idaho.
- Mountain bluebirds connect Idahoans with nature and provide enjoyment from birdwatching opportunities.
- Tourists travel to Idaho to see spectacular mountain bluebirds.
- Healthy bluebird numbers show Idaho has a vibrant, sustainable landscape.
- Conserving bluebirds allows children to learn about and connect with nature.
- Once lost, unique species like the mountain bluebird cannot be brought back.
How Students Can Help Bluebirds
Here are some ways Idaho students can help conserve mountain bluebirds:
- Put up nest boxes on school grounds to provide nesting habitat
- Plant berry bushes to supplement winter food sources
- Design bluebird-friendly areas by adding perches and removing invasive plants
- Report hazards like predators or cowbirds to local wildlife agencies
- Keep cats indoors to reduce mortality from predation
- Participate in bluebird monitoring and citizen science projects
- Spread awareness through school clubs, articles, campaigns, events
- Fundraise for neighborhood bluebird box trails or habitat improvement
- Create bluebird-themed educational posters, kits, and displays
- Write letters to public officials and companies about protecting bluebirds
Contact the Mountain Bluebird Trails Conservation Society to learn about opportunities to help conserve our state bird!
Conclusion
The mountain bluebird’s beauty, song, adaptability, and importance made it the obvious choice for Idaho’s state bird in 1931. This beloved songbird of the mountains reflects the spirit of the Gem State. While mountain bluebirds remain common across Idaho, ongoing conservation efforts can safeguard the future of our state symbol. Education initiatives, habitat projects, and public policies protecting this special species will ensure mountain bluebirds continue inspiring generations to come.