BIRDS of THE WORLD - An Online Bird Book
TURDIDAE
Order Passeriformes Family Turdidae
Bluebirds
TURDIDAE
Order Passeriformes Family Turdidae
Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. Most species are gray or brown in color, often with speckled underparts. Even if the adults do not have these speckles, the juveniles often will. They are insectivorous, but most species also eat worms, snails, and fruit. Thrushes build cup-shaped nests, sometimes lining them with mud. They lay two to five speckled eggs, sometimes laying two or more clutches per year. Both parents help in raising the young. The songs of some species are considered to be among the most beautiful in the avian world.
The thrushes are presented on the following web pages:
1) Geokichla and Zoothera 2) Bluebirds 3) Solitaires
4) Nigthingale-Thrushes 5) True thrushes (Turdus) 6) Miscellaneous
The thrushes are presented on the following web pages:
1) Geokichla and Zoothera 2) Bluebirds 3) Solitaires
4) Nigthingale-Thrushes 5) True thrushes (Turdus) 6) Miscellaneous
Bluebirds
There are three species of bluebirds: the eastern, mountain, and western. They are found in North America and south into Central America. They eat insects, worms, and fruit when insects are scare. Because of their vivid blue color, bluebirds are a favorite of people and their survival is enhanced by feeders and bird houses. The bird houses mimic their cavity nests, but can be constructed to discourage preditors.
Genus Sialia
Bluebird, Eastern Sialia sialis Found: east and central North America, Central America
The male Eastern Bluebird has bright blue upperparts; reddish-brown throat, breast; white belly. Female lighter blue back, tail; gray crown, back; brownish throat, breast;
Similar to: Western Bluebird. There is little range overlap in the USA. Male Western Bluebird has a blue throat; male Eastern Bluebird has reddish brown throat. Female Western Bluebird has a gray throat; female Eastern Bluebird an off white throat.
Image by: 1) Putneypics - Vermont 2) Phil Johnson 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Dick Daniels - North Carolina 9) Ken Thomas - North Carolina 10) Andy_Morffew 11) John Benson - Wisconson Similar to: Western Bluebird. There is little range overlap in the USA. Male Western Bluebird has a blue throat; male Eastern Bluebird has reddish brown throat. Female Western Bluebird has a gray throat; female Eastern Bluebird an off white throat.
1) Eggs & nest 2, 3) Juvenile 4, 5, 6) Female 7 - 11) Male
Bluebird, Mountain Sialia currucoides west North America
The male Mountain Bluebird has mainly bright turquoise-blue plumage; somewhat lighter underparts; even lighter lower-belly; black eyes, thin bill. Female has gray back, crown, throat; dull blue wings, tail.
Image by: 1) Jean-Guy Dallaire - Alberta 2) Alan D. Wilson - British Columbia 3) Linda Tanner 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12) Dick Daniels - Wyoming 7) Elaine Wilson - Oregon 8) Mathew Paulson - South Dakota 9) Jerry Oldenettel - New Mexico 
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1) Juvenile (perhaps Western Bluebird) 2 - 6) Female 7 - 12 Male
Bluebird, Western Sialia mexicana Found: west North America
The male Western Bluebird has bright blue upperparts, throat; brown patch on back; orange breast, flanks; gray belly, under-tail coverts. Female blue is duller; gray throat; dull orange breast.
Similar to: Eastern Bluebird. There is little range overlap in the USA. Male Western Bluebird has a blue throat; male Eastern Bluebird has reddish brown throat. Female Western Bluebird has a gray throat; female Eastern Bluebird an off white throat.
Image by: 1) Jean-Guy Dallaire - Alberta 1) Sarah Stierch - California 2) Mike Baranski 3) David Hofmann - California 4) Len Blumin - California 5) DIck Daniels -
Arizona 67) Matt Knoth 7, 8) Alan D Wilson - Near Fort Rock, OregonSimilar to: Eastern Bluebird. There is little range overlap in the USA. Male Western Bluebird has a blue throat; male Eastern Bluebird has reddish brown throat. Female Western Bluebird has a gray throat; female Eastern Bluebird an off white throat.
1, 2, 3) Female 4 - 8) Male ( blue belly while breeding)
