Yonder, Wild and Blue: Como Lake's Mountain Bluebird
The Mountain Bluebird at Como Lake Photo: Keith Olstad
Not all those who wander are lost, and that certainly seems the case for the Mountain Bluebird who arrived unannounced in St. Paul last autumn. Since his journey into the heartland, the bird has made himself at home, getting acquainted with the Como Lake Eastern Bluebirds, and availing himself to the plentiful seeds, fruit, and other snacks lavished on him by adoring residents.
Despite his celebrity status with birders, photographers, and Twin Cities residents, the feathery gem’s origin remains a mystery. Mountain bluebirds’ natural range extends from southern Oregon and western Nevada to western North Dakota, so St. Paul is several hundred miles east of the far edges of its range. While we know where the bird should be and where it came from, no one knows exactly how or why it arrived in St. Paul. Bluebirds tend to flock with family members as well as larger groups of different families, however, during migration the flocks become more loosely connected and may include other species. One theory is that the mountain bluebird got caught in high winds and carried off course, eventually making its way to Como Lake.
Image credit: ebird.org
In addition to the mystery of the ethereal showstopper’s wanderlust, other questions remain unanswered, especially with regard to the length of his lakeside sojourn. Spring is just around the corner and springtime is mating season for bluebirds. Will St. Paul’s famous guest take off in search of a mate? It’s anyone’s guess, says Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis Chair and avid birder Keith Olstad, “We don’t know what will happen during mating season. He could find a mountain bluebird mate—we don’t know what isn’t reported. That would be really cool to have them nesting in our area, but that isn’t at all likely. Once the weather warms and his hormones activate, he will probably range fairly far to find a mate, but who knows what is in its brain?”
Also in the realm of possibility is that Mountain Bluebird will pair with an Eastern Bluebird with and stick around Como Lake for nesting season. Hybrid eastern-mountain bluebird pairs who successfully reproduced mixed bluebird offspring have been reported twice in Minnesota, and most recently, in Wisconsin. Although the bluebird’s current location is on the remote boundary of his species’ expected range, he has a good shot at survival should he decide to stick around says Olstad. “He has already survived one of the harshest cold snaps and has a steady food source,” noting the many snacks gifted to him with regularity by doting Mountain Bluebird fans. “Bluebirds are in the thrush family which generally has fairly broad tastes. They eat berries, worms, insects-and later in the year-flying insects, and sunflower seeds. The Mountain Bluebird would not be able to break the husk on a black oil sunflower seeds, but could eat shelled sunflower seeds.”
The very cooperative Mountain Bluebird at Como Lake Photo: Keith Olstad
What isn’t a mystery, however, is how well-known and beloved he has become to the local community. Olstad says the beauty and rareness of the Mountain Bluebird help explain its powers of attraction that have drawn people from all over the Twin Cities area. “It is a beautiful gorgeous, subtle blue. In the sunlight it can be a bright blue. But the blue on its back and tail melds into a subtle blue onto its side and white chest. It is also an unusual bird and built its own popularity from his reliable presence. People are intrigued and inspired that something so beautiful and so rare could occur right in the middle of the city.”
If you haven’t yet, you too, can visit the Mountain Bluebird at Como Lake. It’s a fairly easy bird to find, especially since the highly visible, telltale long lenses of the bird paparazzi are likely to alert you to its precise location. On the north side of the Como Lake pavilion is a parking lot. Once you park, cross the road and walk over to the small, frozen pond. The Mountain Bluebird likes to hang out there with around twelve Eastern Bluebirds. You might have to wait around for a few minutes to catch a glimpse, but by now the birds are fairly acclimated to people. Keep a respectful distance and don’t offer any “people food”. If people get too close, the birds will show signs of being nervous before flying off. If the bird(s) acts nervous, you are too close.
Nobody can say how long we will be able to delight in the lovely and unexpected visitor, but for the time being, we can enjoy St. Paul’s most beautiful mystery.
Marian Weidner is an Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis board member.
