Mountain Bluebirds in Alberta
When mountain bluebirds are present in Alberta, when they nest, which native Alberta plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 2a–4b yard.
- Status in Alberta
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- Nest box
- 1 9/16 in hole, 5 × 5 in floor, 5–10 ft
When to expect mountain bluebirds in Alberta
Mountain Bluebirds are summer residents in Alberta, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on grasshoppers, beetles and caterpillars.
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Nesting in Alberta
Across Alberta, mountain bluebirds typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cavity or nest box. Females lay 4–8 eggs, incubate for 13–14 days, and young leave the nest after 17–21 days.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — mountain bluebirds begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 9/16 in entrance on a 5 × 5 in floor, mounted 5–10 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after July.
Native Alberta plants that attract mountain bluebirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Alberta, these 8 provide food or cover mountain bluebirds use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.
Feeding mountain bluebirds through the Alberta year
Nests at high elevations in open country; takes nest boxes on fence lines.
- Best foods: Mealworms.
- In Alberta's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for mountain bluebirds · Best feeder for mountain bluebirds
Frequently asked
Are mountain bluebirds in Alberta year-round?
No. Mountain Bluebirds are summer breeders in Alberta and leave for the winter.
When do mountain bluebirds nest in Alberta?
Nesting in Alberta typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–8 eggs, incubated for 13–14 days.
What native plants attract mountain bluebirds in Alberta?
Smooth sumac, Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Golden currant are native plants in Alberta that provide food or cover for mountain bluebirds.
What size birdhouse hole do mountain bluebirds need?
1 9/16 in, with a floor of 5 × 5 in mounted 5–10 ft.
Mountain Bluebirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Alberta
Sources
- Mountain Bluebird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mountain Bluebird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mountain Bluebird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.