Blue Colored Birds in Iowa
Real talk about spotting Iowa's most beautiful blue-feathered birds
Look, I'll be straight with ya. Iowa's got some seriously cool blue colored birds in iowa. And I ain't just talkin' one or two kinds, either.
I've been watchin' birds around this state for, oh, about a decade now. Started out not knowin' a bluebird from a blue jay, to be honest. But somethin' about these blue guys just caught my eye. Maybe it's that pop of color against the cornfields. Maybe it's how each one's got its own vibe.
This guide? It's everything I wish I'd known when I first started huntin' for blue birds in iowa. Where they chill, how to tell 'em apart, and which ones are easy spots versus the ones that make ya work for it. If you're into checkin' out birds in other spots too, like nearby states, you might wanna peek at guides on blue birds in Illinois, or blue birds in Colorado. There's also stuff on the top birds of Wisconsin, birds of Michigan, birds of Florida, birds of Georgia, winter birds, and even blue colored birds in Oregon. Good reads if you're travelin' or just curious.
The Bluebirds Everyone Actually Sees
Let's kick off with the classics. These are your birds that are blue in iowa that don't need ya drivin' to the middle of nowhere.
Eastern Bluebird - Your Everyday Blue Buddy
So, here's the deal with Eastern Bluebirds. They're around once ya start lookin'. I mean, before I got into this, I must've passed a ton without noticin'.
The males? Stunnin'. Bright blue on the head, wings, and tail, with that rusty-orange chest. 'Bout the size of a robin, maybe a smidge smaller. Females are duller - grayer blue, not as much orange. But still nice to see.
I spot 'em all the time in open spots like parks, golf courses, or along country roads in Iowa. They dig those fence posts or phone lines for perchin'. Farms with some trees scattered around? Perfect for 'em. They swoop down for bugs, then hop back up. Classic move.
Wanna know what birds are blue in iowa? Eastern Bluebirds top the list for sure. They're thrushes, related to robins, and got that bubbly song that just makes ya smile. To attract 'em? Nest boxes are key. I've got a couple in my yard, and they use 'em every spring. Face 'em away from wind, give 'em some shade. Don't bunch 'em too close - these birds get territorial when breedin'.
Eastern Bluebirds hang in Iowa year-round in some parts, but many head south for winter. In cold months, ya might see flocks pickin' at berries. Cool sight, especially against snow.
Oh, and is there a difference between a bluebird and a blue jay? Totally. Bluebirds are smaller, quieter, no crest. Jays are bigger, louder, more aggressive. Easy mix-up if ya don't look close.
Mountain Bluebird - The Rare Wanderer
Mountain Bluebirds are... wow, they're special. Males are this light sky blue all over. No orange, just pure blue. Kinda ghostly in a way.
They're not super common in Iowa, more of a western thing, but ya get occasional sightings, especially in winter or migration. I've only seen one once, out west near the Missouri River. They like open fields, maybe high plains stuff.
What's neat? They hover when huntin' bugs. Thought it was a falcon first time. Nope, just a bluebird doin' its hover thing.
Females are gray-brown with blue hints. Young ones similar. But that hover? Total giveaway.
Pro tip from the field: Western Iowa in early spring might give ya a shot at Mountain Bluebirds. Pack binoculars - they're shy.
The Loud Ones - Iowa's Jays
Alright, shiftin' gears to the birds with personality. These types of blue birds let ya know they're there.
Blue Jay - The Boss of the Backyard
You've prob'ly run into Blue Jays even if ya don't birdwatch. That big blue bird with the crest screamin' at ya from the feeder? Yeah, that's 'em.
They're bold as heck. I've had one land right on my picnic table, eyein' my lunch. Don't feed 'em people food though - stick to nuts or seeds. Bad for 'em long-term.
Bright blue back, white belly, black necklace. Bigger than bluebirds, with that mohawk crest. And noisy. Man, their "jay! jay!" call echoes everywhere.
Are there bluejays in iowa? You bet. Year-round residents pretty much statewide. Forests, suburbs, parks - if there's trees, there's jays. My neighborhood's got a flock that raids the feeders daily.
Smart cookies too. They mimic hawks to scare off other birds. Heard it myself - thought a red-tail was comin', but nah, just a jay messin' around. Check out more on their smarts at Wikipedia's Blue Jay page.
Do blue jays stay in iowa all year? Mostly yes. Some might migrate in rough winters, but plenty tough it out. Not rare at all - common as can be.
What bird is mistaken for a Blue Jay? Sometimes folks confuse 'em with Steller's Jays, but those ain't in Iowa. Or maybe Blue Grosbeaks, but those are smaller, no crest.
Is it rare to see a Blue Jay bird? Nope, they're everywhere. If ya haven't seen one, ya just ain't lookin'.
The Little Guys - Buntings and Such
Now for some smaller small blue bird in iowa that pop up seasonally.
Indigo Bunting - Summer Stunner
Male Indigo Buntings are ridiculous pretty. Deep blue all over, like a chunk of sky. Sparrow-sized, with that silver bill.
They're summer folks in Iowa. Arrive May, gone by September. Find 'em in brushy spots, near creeks or fields. I've got a favorite trail along the Des Moines River where they're reliable every June.
Males sing from bush tops, fast and jumbled. Each guy's got his unique tune. Females? Plain brown. Camo for nestin'.
Is it rare to see an indigo bunting? Not really in Iowa summers - they're common if ya know where to look. But they can be sneaky in the leaves. More on 'em at Wikipedia.
Eastern Iowa's got plenty, but they're statewide. Riparian areas are prime durin' breedin'.
Blue Grosbeak - The Chunky One
Blue Grosbeaks look a bit like oversized buntings. Males deep blue with rusty wing bars, big bill. Females brown with hints of blue.
They're summer visitors too, likin' open woods and fields. Not as common as Indigos, but ya see 'em in southern Iowa more. I've spotted pairs along hedgerows.
They sing a rich warble. And yeah, sometimes mistaken for Blue Jays from afar, but way smaller, no crest.
Fun fact: Blue in birds ain't pigment. It's how light bounces off feathers. Crush a blue feather, it turns brown.
Other Blue Beauties You Might Spot
Iowa's got more tiny blue birds in iowa beyond the big names. Here's a quick rundown.
Swallows and Martins
Barn Swallows? Deep blue backs, rusty throats, forked tails. Zoom around catchin' bugs over fields or water. Common in summer.
Tree Swallows have that iridescent blue-green top, white belly. Nest in boxes near ponds. Cliff Swallows build mud nests under bridges, blue crowns.
Purple Martins are dark blue-purple, biggest swallows. Love those multi-room houses people put up.
Kingfishers and Herons
Belted Kingfisher - blue-gray with white collar, big head. Females got rusty belt. Perch over rivers, dive for fish. Rattly call.
Little Blue Heron: Slate-blue wader in marshes. Juveniles white first year. Quiet hunters.
Great Blue Heron ain't small, but that blue-gray body's iconic. Stalks wetlands statewide.
Warblers for the Pros
Black-throated Blue Warbler: Males blue with black throat. Forest migrants.
Cerulean Warbler: Sky-blue males, canopy dwellers. Rare, but eastern Iowa forests might have 'em.
Actually Finding These Birds
Knowin' birds of iowa exist is one thing. Spottin' 'em? Whole 'nother skill.
What to Watch For
Size helps quick. Bluebirds medium, jays big, buntings tiny. Swallows sleek, herons tall.
Behavior clues: Bluebirds perch-hunt. Jays yell. Buntings sing from shrubs. Swallows swoop.
Don't just eye the blue. Check patterns - orange chest? Bluebird. Crest? Jay. Fork tail? Swallow.
Habitat narrows it. Won't find kingfishers in dry woods. Bluebirds like open, jays forests.
Apps That Help Without Overdoin' It
Merlin app's free and solid. Describe what ya saw, gets suggestions. Or snap a pic. Works offline with Iowa pack.
eBird's gold. See what folks report nearby. Real-time from real birders. I check it before new spots.
Audubon app for calls. Blue birds often sound off first. Learnin' songs speeds spots big time.
Cornell's All About Birds site's packed - pics, sounds, maps. Go-to reference.
When and Where to Head Out
Mornin's best. Birds active post-sunrise, feedin'. Evenin' picks up too.
For Eastern Bluebirds, try rural roads or parks like Neal Smith Refuge. Open fields with posts.
Blue Jays? Any wooded area, like Ledges State Park. They'll announce themselves.
Indigo Buntings in brushy river edges, May-July. Cedar River trails good.
Swallows over lakes like Saylorville. Kingfishers along streams.
Iowa DNR wildlife areas are free and birdy. Check Iowa DNR site for spots.
Conservation Stuff That Matters
Some Iowa blue birds are fine, others strugglin'. Worth knowin' why.
What's Hittin' 'Em Hard
Habitat loss biggie. Farms, cities eatin' up open spaces. Bluebirds need cavities, but old trees get cut.
Invasives like starlings, sparrows steal nests. Kill young sometimes. Brutal.
Climate messin' with migration, food. Warblers gettin' pushed around.
Cerulean Warblers declinin' fast. Forest fragmentin' hurts.
Protected birds in iowa? All birds 'cept starlings, sparrows, pigeons. But endangered list has some like Piping Plover, not blues. Still, blues need help.
What You Can Do
Nest boxes for bluebirds, martins. Proper ones with guards.
Keep cats inside. They kill billions of birds yearly. Instinct, even fed cats hunt.
Ditch pesticides. Bugs are bird food. Native plants boost insects, birds.
Leave snags standin'. Woodpeckers make holes, blues use later.
Back groups like Audubon, Iowa Ornithologists' Union. They protect habitat.
Report to eBird. Your sights help science track pops.
Real deal: Even tiny yards help. Natives, water, no chems. Small steps add up.
Gettin' Blue Birds to Your Spot
Want these blues in your yard? Possible for some.
How to Attract Bluebirds in Iowa
Open space key. Bluebirds hunt bugs in grass. Dense trees? Nah. But lawn with trees? Potential.
Nest boxes right: 1.5-inch hole, 4-5 feet high, open face. Add guards vs predators.
Mealworms magic. Live or dried in feeders. I burn through bags in spring.
Water draws all. Shallow bath, fresh water. Blues love splashin'.
For Jays and Others
Blue Jays easy. Peanuts, sunflower. They'll show.
Brush piles for buntings. Let areas go wild with natives like sumac.
Studies show feedin' helps survival, but habitat's king. See bird feeding info.
Plants to Pop In
Sumac berries for winter blues. Hackberry too.
Dogwood flowers early, berries summer.
Cedar evergreens shelter. Layers - trees, shrubs, ground - build diversity.
How Seasons Flip the Script
Iowa's blue bird in iowa change with weather. Patterns help timin'.
Spring - When It All Pops Off
March-May crazy. Migrants return. Indigos in May, males claimin' spots. Singin' non-stop.
Bluebirds back early, nestin'. Everyone active, vocal. Get out there.
Summer Nestin' Frenzy
June-July peak. Feedin' young, constant buzz. Males sing less.
Juveniles out late June. Spotted blues different from adults.
August, some head south. Molts for new feathers.
Fall and Winter Vibes
September-November shifts. Buntings gone. Bluebirds flock, nomadic.
Switch to berries. Jays cache nuts.
Winter pushes rarities in. Mountain Bluebirds sometimes. Keep watchin'.
Snappin' Pics Without Bein' Annoyin'
Blues photo great. How to get shots respectful-like.
Tech Tips
Blue's tough on cameras - too dark or washed. Shoot RAW for edits.
Long lens keeps distance. Don't stress birds.
Early light best. Golden hour flatters blues.
For blue birds in iowa pictures, patience key. Sit quiet, let 'em come.
Apps like Lightroom fix colors post-shoot.
Remember, birds first. No baitin' if it risks 'em.
Wrappin' It Up: Dive Deeper into Iowa's Blue Birds
Alright, we've covered a ton about those blue colored birds in iowa - from the everyday Eastern Bluebirds perchin' on fences to the flashy Indigo Buntings hidin' in the bushes, and even the bold Blue Jays raisin' a ruckus in your backyard. Whether you're just startin' out or been at this for years, there's always more to see and learn. Iowa's got this mix of prairies, rivers, and woods that makes it prime for spotin' these blues, but remember, they're part of a bigger picture. Keepin' habitats healthy means we get to enjoy 'em for generations.
If you're itchin' to identify that mystery blue bird ya saw, or wanna get better at namin' 'em on the fly, check out some trusted spots for bird identification services. Places like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources have tools, apps, and even events to help ya out. Or swing by Wikipedia's birdwatching page for basics. Grab your binoculars, hit the trails, and who knows? That next blue flash might be somethin' new. Happy birdin'!