MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD NESTING IN AN ARROYO BANK IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

Abstract

The breeding range of the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) extends from central Alaska along the eastern slopes of the coast ranges to northwestern California, the San Bernardino Mountains of southern California, and the Davis Mountains of western Texas (Power and Lombardo 1996). Breeding Mountain Bluebirds typically occupy open woodland or edge habitat with exposed perches and fairly sparse ground cover (Pinkowski 1979). They are attracted to burned areas, particularly those with dead trees and/or snags (McClelland et al. 1979, Hutto et al. 1992).