There are only three true bluebirds in North America - Eastern, Western, and Mountain. But plenty of other blue birds get mistaken for them. Here is who is who.
Quick Comparison
| Bird | Size | Blue type | Key difference from bluebirds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Jay | 25-30cm | Bright blue with black/white | Much larger. Has a crest. Loud, aggressive. |
| Indigo Bunting | 12-13cm | Electric blue (male) | Smaller. Uniform deep blue, no orange/rust breast. |
| Blue Grosbeak | 15-17cm | Deep blue with russet wing bars | Heavier bill. Larger than bluebirds. |
| Tree Swallow | 12-14cm | Iridescent blue-green back | White underparts, no rust. Catches insects in flight. |
| Lazuli Bunting | 13-15cm | Blue head, rust breast | Similar colour combo but smaller, slimmer bill. |
| Steller’s Jay | 30-34cm | Dark blue and black | Much larger. Has tall dark crest. |
| California Scrub-Jay | 27-30cm | Blue back, grey breast | Larger, longer tail, no crest but no rust breast either. |
| Belted Kingfisher | 28-35cm | Blue-grey with white belt | Much larger. Massive bill. Shaggy crest. Found near water. |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | 10-11cm | Pale blue-grey | Tiny. Long tail it flicks constantly. Very pale. |
| Black-throated Blue Warbler | 12-13cm | Dark blue back, black throat | Distinctive black throat patch. White wing spot. |
The Three Real Bluebirds
| Species | Range | Male colour | Female colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Bluebird | East of the Rockies | Bright blue back, rust-orange breast | Pale grey-blue with muted orange |
| Western Bluebird | West of the Rockies | Deep blue back and throat, rust breast | Duller blue-grey with pale orange |
| Mountain Bluebird | Western mountains, open country | Uniform sky blue, no rust | Pale grey with blue tints on wings and tail |
The rust-orange breast is the key feature of Eastern and Western Bluebirds. No other common blue bird has that combination of bright blue back and warm orange chest.
Mountain Bluebirds are the exception - they are pure sky blue with no orange at all. They are often confused with Indigo Buntings, but Mountain Bluebirds are larger, slimmer, and live in open mountain habitats rather than brushy edges.
Most Common Mix-ups
Blue Jays
The most frequent confusion. Blue Jays are blue, they visit the same feeders, and people often call any blue bird a “bluebird.” But Blue Jays are nearly twice the size, have a prominent crest, black necklace, and white wing bars. They are also much louder and more aggressive.
Indigo Buntings
Male Indigo Buntings in breeding plumage are a stunning uniform blue. They are sparrow-sized - much smaller than bluebirds - and lack any orange or rust colouring. They prefer brushy field edges rather than the open perches bluebirds favour.
Tree Swallows
Tree Swallows have an iridescent blue-green back that flashes in sunlight. They compete with bluebirds for nest boxes, which adds to the confusion. The giveaway: Tree Swallows have pure white underparts and catch insects in aerial flight, while bluebirds perch and pounce.
The easiest way to identify a bluebird: look for the rust-orange breast. Eastern and Western Bluebirds are the only small blue birds in North America with that warm orange chest. If the bird is all blue with no orange, it is something else.
