In 2017 we had a female blue grosbeak, here, that had an odd robin-egg blue
forehead shield. We puzzled about it then, and assumed it was a one-off. Last
evening, I got some fairly good photos of another one that is feeding babies in
a nest in our berry patch. This one has blue on the sides of her face as well.
I attached a link to yesterday’s eBird list, because it includes three photos
of her, and another of her mate, taken in the same light. These photos show
how remarkably different her blue color is than his.
I’m looking for information on this condition, and I’m hoping there’s someone
out there who might point me to something? My references don’t mention this
odd plumage.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S90024131
Stephen Tyson, Schochoh
