Thanks, Phillip, for that good explanation!
My theory on bird ID is what other birds are associated with it.
If there are other Western BB's around, then I assume that the unusual looking
bird is the same species!
From a casual birder, not an expert!
George
Dr. George W. Jury
Pat Jury
3807 75th Place
Lubbock, TX 79423
-----Original Message-----
From: Phillip S. Kite <lubbockites@xxxxxxx>
To: leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sat, Oct 24, 2020 9:14 pm
Subject: [leasbirds] Re: Mountain or Western Bluebird?
I forget that some Mountains have the rufous. Just the same, I agree that
it’s a Western Bluebird. The rufous extends too far down the flanks. NatGeo
states ”In fresh fall plumage, female’s throat and breast tinged with
red-orange; BROWNISH REAR FLANK contrasting with white undertail coverts
distinguishes it from female Eastern Bluebird, which has reddish flank.”
There’s a malar stripe, which Sibley doesn’t show for Mountains. I’m not
picking up any yellow in the bill/gape, but I don’t know how obvious that is,
since I have never seen it in the field. The bill doesn’t appear thin enough
for Mountain. The eye ring is pretty bold which also favors Western. The one
field mark that most strongly favors Mountain may be primary projection. The
top picture seems to show a longer primary projection than would be expected on
a Western. Hybridization is a possibility, I suppose.
The blues differ in bluebirds. It’s more obvious on males than females, so less
helpful with this bird. Mountains are lighter and brighter. Westerns are darker
and richer. Easterns are in between, but closer to Westerns. Hard to judge from
a picture or dimmer light, but really obvious in bright sun. To my eye,
Mountains, at least the males, almost sparkle in good light.
Thanks for making me get out my field guides, read the text in them, and think.
Sent slowly from Phillip Kite’s iPhone.
