In private and back channel
discussions about this bird multiple people have raised the possibility
that it might of the subspecies M. m. heermanni, which is a relatively
sedentary population in central to southern California. I had considered this
as a possibility, as heermanni seems to be a good match in terms of appearance.
Interestingly, there is a virtually identical bird wintering along Bond Lane
near the Eugene Airport. It seems unlikely that non-migratory birds would
wander north in Fall from California, but perhaps there was a weather or
fire-related dispersal. I like the fact that this bird has created so much
interest.
Dave Irons
Beaverton, OR
