Mountain Bluebird Project

Supporting Bluebird Populations and Tracking Ecosystem Health

Mountain Bluebird Nest Box Trail

High elk concentrations in Jackson Hole have destroyed critical habitat for cavity-nesting birds by preventing new aspen growth and killing mature trees. The Bluebird Nestbox Project provides artificial nesting spaces to offset this loss. Volunteers monitor nest boxes from May through August, collecting data for Nature Mapping Jackson Hole and state and Federal agencies to track bluebird populations, assess ecosystem health, and engage the community in conservation efforts.

Nestboxes Monitored Each Spring/Summer

MOBL Project Objectives

Female Mountain Bluebird Keeps Brood Warm

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Restoring Lost Habitat

Providing artificial nesting sites helps offset the decline of natural cavities caused by habitat loss in Jackson Hole.

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Community Involvement

Engaging volunteers in nestbox monitoring fosters a personal connection to conservation, inspiring them to share the message with others.

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Raising Awareness

Educating the public about the challenges cavity-nesting birds face encourages conservation efforts and informed land management.

MOBL Monitoring Report 2025

MOBL Project Statistics for 2025

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Mountain Bluebird eggs hatched in 2025

Marking one of the strongest breeding seasons in the project’s history for fledgling success rate.

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Nest Boxes were used by local bird species in 2025

Including Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Violet Green Swallows and House Wrens.

Nestlings banded in 2025

Record-breaking year. The next highest year was in 2017, with 85 nestlings banded.

Can you read this bird’s color band sequence? Remember “Right/Left” refers to the bird’s right/left, “Top” is closest to the bird’s body, and “Bottom” is closest to the feet. Top right: Green, Bottom Right: Hot Pink, Top Left: Red, Bottom Left: Silver (USGS)

Be a Community Scientist for Mountain Bluebirds

Download the Resighting Sheet

Report Resightings

Your sightings help us track Mountain Bluebirds and study their behavior. Every report adds to our research!

How to Report a Sighting

Color Bands – Each bird has one silver (aluminum) band and three colored bands. Note the colors on the top right, bottom right, top left, and bottom left legs. Report what you can, even if some bands are unclear.

Band Colors: Silver (USGS aluminum band), Red, Yellow, Green, Peach, Hot Pink, Gray, Black

Location & Perch – Share GPS coordinates or describe the bird’s perch (e.g., fence post, tree, nest box).

Behavior – Record interactions, feeding, nesting, or calls.

Sex & Plumage – Males are bright blue; females and juveniles are grayish with blue hints. Mark “unknown” if unsure.

Notes – Extra details are welcome! Your reports matter—thank you for contributing!

Volunteering Gives You Wings

Help JHWF monitor nest boxes and collect data so that we may support bird populations, inform habitat management decisions and engage the community in hands-on conservation!

Get Involved