There are a few species of birds that have blue plumage on their backs and wings, yet have orange or reddish-orange bellies. The most common of these in North America is the Eastern Bluebird. Other possibilities include the Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, and Lazuli Bunting. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of each to identify the blue bird with an orange stomach.
Eastern Bluebird
The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards in the eastern and central United States. The adult male has deep blue upperparts, a reddish-brown throat, and an orange or reddish-orange breast and belly. The female is grayish above with bluish wings and tail, a pale throat, and a dull orange breast and belly.
Some key features of the Eastern Bluebird include:
- Size: 6.3-8.3 inches long with a wingspan of 9.8-12.6 inches
- Bill: All black, conical shaped
- Plumage: Male has bright blue upperparts, wings, and tail. Throat is reddish-brown. Breast and belly are orange or reddish-orange. Female is grayish blue above with blue in wings and tail only. Throat is pale and breast is a dull orange.
- Song: A warbling song of descending pitches – “chur-lee, chur-lee”
The Eastern Bluebird is found across the eastern half of the United States, southeastern Canada, and parts of central Mexico. Its breeding range stretches from Nova Scotia to Texas, and it winters as far south as Florida, the Gulf Coast, and central Mexico. The species declined in the early 20th century due to competition from European Starlings and House Sparrows, but recovered thanks to nest box programs. They are now common in open country, parks, and residential areas.
Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is found in open mountain forests and meadows in western North America. The adult male is bright turquoise-blue on the upperparts, wings, throat, and chest. The belly and undertail coverts are reddish-orange. Females are grayer above with bluish wings and tail, a pale orange throat, and pale orange underparts.
Some key features of the Mountain Bluebird include:
- Size: 6.3-7.5 inches long with a wingspan of 11.0-13.4 inches
- Bill: All black, slender
- Plumage: Male has bright blue upperparts, wings, throat and chest. Orange-red belly and undertail. Female is grayer above with bluish in wings and tail only. Pale orange throat and underparts.
- Song: A series of ascending or descending whistles – “pu-weep, pu-weep”
The Mountain Bluebird breeds from Alaska through western Canada to the Rocky Mountains and west to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges. It winters in the western United States, parts of the Southwest, and northern Mexico. At higher elevations, it can be found in mountain meadows and open pine forests. The species declined in the 20th century but remains locally common, especially where nest boxes are provided.
Western Bluebird
The Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) inhabits open forests, woodlands, and other open habitats across western North America. Adult males have bright blue upperparts, a reddish-brown throat, and a reddish-orange breast. Females are grayish above with bluish wings and tail, a pale throat, and pale orange-yellow underparts.
Some key features of the Western Bluebird include:
- Size: 6.3-7.5 inches long with a wingspan of 10.2-12.2 inches
- Bill: All black, conical shaped
- Plumage: Male has bright blue upperparts, wings, tail. Reddish-brown throat, reddish-orange breast. Female is grayish blue above with bluish wings and tail. Pale throat and underparts.
- Song: A soft warbling of varied notes – “chur chur chur chur”
The Western Bluebird’s breeding range stretches along the West Coast from British Columbia to Baja California, and east to the Rocky Mountains. It winters in the southwest U.S. and Mexico. It can be found in open coniferous forests, oak savannas, parks, and sometimes suburban areas. Populations declined with habitat loss but have rebounded with nest box programs.
Lazuli Bunting
The Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) is a songbird of the western U.S. The male has bright blue upperparts, a white belly, and an orange breast band. Females are grayish-brown with subtle wing bars.
Some key Lazuli Bunting facts:
- Size: 4.7-5.9 inches long with a wingspan of 7.5-9.1 inches
- Bill: Short, conical, pinkish
- Plumage: Male has bright blue head, back, wings, tail. White belly and orange breast band. Female is gray-brown overall with faint wing bars.
- Song: A series of paired notes and trills – “pair-zee pair, zee zee zee zr zr zr”
The Lazuli Bunting breeds in open woods, brushy areas, and chaparral in western North America. Its range stretches from southern British Columbia to northern New Mexico, and west to California and Wyoming. It winters in Mexico. Although Lazuli Buntings do have a blue and orange color pattern, the orange is restricted to a breast band rather than covering the belly.
Identifying the Blue Bird with an Orange Stomach
Based on the plumage descriptions above, the bird species in North America that best matches the description of having blue upperparts and an orange stomach is the Eastern Bluebird.
The Mountain Bluebird, Western Bluebird, and Lazuli Bunting all have orange or reddish-orange confined to the breast/throat area, not extending across the belly. The Eastern Bluebird stands out with its orange or reddish-orange breast and belly in males.
Here is a quick comparison of key field marks:
| Species | Upperpart Color | Belly Color |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Bluebird | Blue | Orange/Reddish-orange |
| Mountain Bluebird | Blue | Reddish-orange breast only |
| Western Bluebird | Blue | Reddish-orange breast only |
| Lazuli Bunting | Blue | White belly with orange breast band |
So in summary, the Eastern Bluebird, with its vivid blue back/wings and orange-red belly and undertail coverts, is the species in North America that best fits the description of a blue bird with an orange stomach. It is widespread east of the Rockies in open and semi-open habitats. Watch for these colorful songbirds perched on wires, fence posts, or nest boxes.
Eastern Bluebird Description
Now that we have identified the Eastern Bluebird as the blue and orange bird in question, let’s take a more detailed look at this species:
Size and Shape
– Total length: 6.3-8.3 inches
– Wingspan: 9.8-12.6 inches
Eastern Bluebirds are mid-sized thrushes with a robust, rounded body shape. They have large heads and short, straight bills suited for eating insects and berries.
Plumage
– Males: Bright medium blue above, orange-red throat and breast, whitish belly
– Females: Grayish blue above, pale orange below
Male Eastern Bluebirds are vividly colored with deep blue upperparts. The face, throat, breast and flanks are reddish-orange. The belly and undertail coverts are whitish. Females are less brightly colored, with grayish blue wings and tail, a pale orange throat and breast, and a dull white belly. The blue and orange plumage is beautiful in flight or sunlight.
Behavior and Habitat
– Found in open country with scattered trees
– Frequents meadows, pastures, agricultural areas
– Can adapt to human habitats like parks, suburban areas
Eastern Bluebirds sit upright on perches scanning for prey. They mainly eat insects and supplement their diet with berries. They are territorial and males sing and call to defend nesting areas. Favorite habitats include open woodlands, forest edges, meadows with scattered trees, pastures, and agricultural areas. They readily nest in manmade boxes.
Voice and Sounds
The song of the Eastern Bluebird is a melodious warbling of varied chur and cheer notes. It is described as mellow and flute-like. Their calls include liquid sounding chur-lee and chur-wee notes. Both male and female sing, with males having more complex songs.
Nesting and Reproduction
– Nest in cavities like hollow trees and nest boxes
– Build nest cup of grasses, weeds, pine needles
– Lay 3-7 pale blue eggs
– Brooded by female for 13-16 days
– Fledglings leave nest at 15-21 days
Eastern Bluebirds nest in natural tree cavities or manmade nest boxes. The female builds the nest using grasses, twigs, feathers and other materials. She lays one pale blue egg per day, totaling 3-7 eggs per clutch. Only the female incubates the eggs. Both parents feed the nestlings. After fledging, the young stay with and are fed by the parents for a couple weeks. Bluebirds raise 1-3 broods per year.
Conservation Status
The Eastern Bluebird has a large range and healthy population size. According to the 2016 State of North America’s Birds report, it has seen a population increase of 29% since 1970. The species underwent declines in the early 20th century due to competition and nest site loss, but has rebounded significantly thanks to nest box programs, now numbering around 22 million birds. The Eastern Bluebird is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Protecting grassland and savanna habitats will continue to benefit Eastern Bluebird populations.
Conclusion
In summary, the Eastern Bluebird is the most likely species being described as a blue bird with an orange stomach or belly. This thrush has sky blue upperparts and reddish-orange underparts on the throat, breast and belly. It favors open country and readily adapts to manmade habitats. Eastern Bluebird numbers dropped in the 1900s but have recovered thanks to nest box initiatives. This beautiful songbird can be encouraged by providing suitable nesting cavities in bluebird trails or backyards. Observing the contrasting colors and cheerful song of an Eastern Bluebird is a delight for any bird watcher or nature lover.
