Nobody can deny the beauty of a blue-feathered bird. Some birds are entirely blue while others come with a unique coloring pattern including blue in their plumage. You may never feel bored watching a flock of such beautiful birds, right?
Now, a question might be lingering in your mind, what birds have blue feathers? The most common blue-feathered birds are blue jays, mountain bluebirds, indigo buntings, blue grosbeaks, California scrub jays, common kingfishers, tree swallows, hyacinth macaws, steller’s jays, and black-throated blue warblers.
Are you willing to know about these beautiful birds in detail? If you say yes, then this article is what you’re actually looking for. After you finish reading this, our recommendation is to have a look at another article on red-feathered birds.
Related Blog: 10 Birds With Purple Feathers | Read here
1. Blue Jay
- Scientific Name – Cyanocitta cristata
- Body Length – 22 to 30 cm (9 to 12 in)
- Weight – 0.14 to 0.24 lbs. (63 to 108 g)
- Wingspan – 34 to 43 cm (13 to 17 in)
- Lifespan – 7 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Blue jays are usually out there from southern Canada to Alberta eastward to Quebec. These birds are also found in the central United States, Atlantic Provinces, and eastern and northeastern Texas. Typically, they live in woodlands in oak and beech trees and are less abundant in denser forests.
#Identification
Blue jays are known for their blue feathers with white tips and black stripes. While the upperparts are mostly blue, the underparts are white. These birds have a u-shaped black ring, which is easily noticeable. The bills, eyes, and legs are entirely black.
#Diet
When it comes to diet, blue jays prefer seeds, peanuts, suet, and sunflower. They also eat grains from oak trees and drink freshwater from birdbaths. Besides, they consume a wide variety of insects, especially grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars.
2. Mountain Bluebird
- Scientific Name – Sialia currucoides
- Body Length – 15.5 to 18 cm (6.1 to 7.1 in)
- Weight – 0.06 lbs. (30 g)
- Wingspan – 28 to 36 cm (11 to 14.2 in)
- Lifespan – 6 to 10 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Mountain bluebirds are usually out there in western North America to northern Alaska. These birds overwinter in south-central Mexico. Their habitats include grasslands, thickets, scattered shrubs, savannahs, prairie forests, meadows with trees, etc.
#Identification
Adult males of mountain bluebirds are sky-blue, slightly darker on the wings and tail. The underparts are white. On the other hand, adult females are mostly grey-brown. But, their tails and wings are pale blue. In both sexes, the bills are entirely black.
#Diet
Mountain bluebirds mainly feed on berries, especially hackberries, mistletoe, juniper, and other plants. These birds also eat insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, bees, ants, and crickets. In winter, they rely on berries as the insect population is scarce.
3. Indigo Bunting
- Scientific Name – Passerina cyanea
- Body Length – 11.5 to 15 cm (4.5 to 5.9 in)
- Weight – 0.03 lbs. (15 g)
- Wingspan – 18 to 23 cm (7.1 to 9.1 in)
- Lifespan – 10 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Indigo buntings are mainly distributed in eastern North America, South Florida, and as far north as South America. These birds inhabit shallow and weedy areas, farmlands, railways, power lines, wetlands, open deciduous forests, and riverside habitats.
#Identification
Adult males are entirely blue with a slightly richer blue on their heads. Adult females, on the other hand, are brown with faint lines on the breasts, a white neck, and blue touches on the wings. Both sexes have shiny, silver-grey bills.
#Diet
Indigo buntings feed on seeds, berries, and insects, especially caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, beetles, and grass seeds, during the breeding season. In winter, these birds rely on grass seeds only. Mother birds feed their young insects to provide them with protein.
4. Blue Grosbeak
- Scientific Name – Passerina caerulea
- Body Length – 14 to 19 cm (5.5 to 7.5 in)
- Weight – 0.06 lbs. (28 g)
- Wingspan – 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11 in)
- Lifespan – 6 to 7 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Blue grosbeaks are typically found in the Caribbean islands and near the Gulf of Mexico. These birds usually inhabit woodlands, scrubby areas, hedgerows, forbs, and more. They can often be found in shrubby areas along watercourses.
#Identification
Adult male blue grosbeaks are stocky songbirds with moderately-curved, silver bills. In appearance, these birds are mostly blue, but a small black mask is easily noticeable. On the contrary, adult females and immatures come with cinnamon plumage with brown wings.
#Diet
Blue grosbeaks mostly feed on many insects, including beetles, caterpillars, snail spiders, grasshoppers, cicadas, and more. In winter when the insect population is scarce, these birds turn their attention to seeds, grasses, and weeds.
5. California Scrub Jay
- Scientific Name – Aphelocoma californica
- Body Length – 27 to 31 cm (11 to 12 in)
- Weight – 0.19 lbs. (89 g)
- Wingspan – 39 cm (15 in)
- Lifespan – 9 years
#Distribution and Habitat
California scrub jays are found in the United States and Canada, especially in southern British Columbia, California, and Western Nevada. These birds usually inhabit hedgerows, orchards, overgrown areas, thickets, and small shrubs.
#Identification
In appearance, California scrub jays are blue above and white below. These birds also feature slightly greyish wings. The bills, eyes, and legs are entirely black. In contrast, adult females and immatures are dark brown with warm brown underparts.
#Diet
During spring and summer, California scrub jays mainly feed on fruits and insects, especially caterpillars, beetles, and grasshoppers. In fall and winter, these birds switch to seeds and nuts, particularly acorns. Besides, they often eat lizards and nestling birds.
6. Common Kingfisher
- Scientific Name – Alcedo atthis
- Body Length – 17 to 19 cm (6.5 to 7.5 in)
- Weight – 0.07 to 0.1 lbs. (34 to 46 g)
- Wingspan – 25 cm (10 in)
- Lifespan – 2 to 3 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Common kingfishers are usually found in tropical regions, like the Southwestern United States, northern Mexico, and the eastern Pacific Ocean. These birds inhabit woodlands, agricultural areas, rivers, lakes, forest streams, high mountains, and more.
#Identification
Common kingfishers feature a stocky body with a relatively large head. These birds have a shaggy crest on the top. The bills are long, pointed. Compared to their body size, their legs are shorter. While the upperparts are blue, the underparts are orange.
#Diet
Typically, common kingfishers feed on small fish and minnows. Apart from that, these birds catch mollusks and aquatic insects, like water beetles and dragonfly larvae. During the winter months, they prefer crustaceans and freshwater shrimps.
7. Tree Swallow
- Scientific Name – Tachycineta bicolor
- Body Length – 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in)
- Weight – 0.03 to 0.05 lbs. (17 to 25.5 g)
- Wingspan – 35 cm (13.77 in)
- Lifespan – 2.7 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Tree swallows are usually out there all over North America, especially in Alaska, Canada, California, New Mexico, and Kansas. These birds inhabit near water areas, like marshes, meadows, and lakes. You will also find these little birds in open or semi-open areas.
#Identification
In appearance, adult males are blue above and white below. These birds feature black in their wings and a thick black eye mask. In contrast, adult females are dull brown in upperparts. However, immatures are entirely brown above.
#Diet
During spring and summer, tree swallows mostly feed on insects, especially winged ants, beetles, flies, spiders, and sand fleas. When the insect population is scarce, they switch to fruits and berries. They can often be found, eating various types of seeds.
8. Hyacinth Macaw
- Scientific Name – Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
- Body Length – 100 cm (39.3 in)
- Weight – 2 to 3 lbs. (1.2 to 1.7 kg)
- Wingspan – 120 cm (47 in)
- Lifespan – 50 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Hyacinth macaws are available throughout central and eastern South America. These birds usually inhabit only three distinct areas, such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. You will find them in woodlands, palm swamps, grasslands, and other semi-open areas.
#Identification
In appearance, hyacinth macaws are entirely blue, but the above is slightly lighter. The bills are large, black while the upper bill is curved. The tail is also long and pointed. The area beneath the lower bill and the ring around the eyes are vibrant yellow.
#Diet
Hyacinth macaws mainly feed on nuts from specific palm species, such as bocaiuva and acuri palms. These birds also eat the kernels of hard seeds and nuts with their very strong bills. They can also crack coconuts, macadamia nuts, and large Brazil nuts.
9. Steller’s Jay
- Scientific Name – Cyanocitta stelleri
- Body Length – 30 to 34 cm (12 to 13 in)
- Weight – 0.22 to 0.3 lbs. (100 to 140 g)
- Wingspan – 45 to 48 cm (17 to 19 in)
- Lifespan – 10 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Steller’s jays are widely distributed throughout North America, especially southern Alaska, the Central Rocky Mountain region, and Mexico. These birds usually inhabit agricultural and residential areas, particularly in backyards, parks, and campgrounds.
#Identification
In appearance, Steller’s jays are mostly blue, and the wings are richer blue. These birds also feature chunky bodies, rounded wings in flight, and long tails. The bills are slightly hooked. You will identify them to notice at their prominent triangular crest on the head.
#Diet
Steller’s jays are mainly omnivores, meaning they feed on both plants and animals. Typically, these birds eat seeds, nuts, berries, and some fruits. In addition, they can consume other birds’ eggs, invertebrates, and lizards.
10. Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Scientific Name – Setophaga caerulescens
- Body Length – 13 cm (5.1 in)
- Weight – 0.01 to 0.02 lbs. (9 to 10 g)
- Wingspan – 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in)
- Lifespan – 9 to 10 years
#Distribution and Habitat
Black-throated blue warblers are mainly available in hilly and mountainous regions in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. These birds breed in temperate regions. However, they can often be found in scrubby regions.
#Identification
Black-throated blue warblers have rich blue plumage in their neck, back, and crown. The underparts are pure white. However, you will see distinctive small white patches on their wings. Besides, they feature a black mask on their throat and face.
#Diet
Black-throated blue warblers mostly eat flying insects. Apart from that, they prefer spiders, caterpillars, flies, and other invertebrates. In addition, they consume seeds, berries, and some fruits, especially on the wintering grounds.
Final Words
Now that you know about 10 blue-feathered birds in detail, you can provide them with delicious treats if you encounter one of them. Always try to feed them their favorite foods. They will love to eat them in your backyard and hopefully come back again and again.
However, we hope this article has helped you a lot to learn about what birds have blue feathers. If you have ever encountered any of them, share your experience with us below in the comment section. Here are our Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter for you.
Image Sources:
- Pixabay.com
- Commons.wikimedia.org