on 11/11/04 9:22 AM, Oscar McCrowell at ommccrowell@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
This confuses me too! The only explanation might be that you saw a hybrid.
And perhaps a molting immature hybrid.
The bluebird does migrate from it's most northern areas this time of year
and could spend the winter here with us. You don't say where you live and
that might help.
The Eastern bb will interbreed with both the Western bb and the Mountain bb
where their territories mix in Minnesota for example. And the MOBL and the
WEBL will also interbreed. If you saw a double mix of species it might be
possible to have a bird as you describe. Most interesting and perhaps
unusual.
I have learned never to say never when it comes to mother nature. I would
like to hear more and perhaps have a photo if you can. It would make a
great article for our Virginia Bluebird Society's March newsletter. The
Bird Box is always interested in VA bluebird news!
Barbara Chambers
Tuesday, Nov. 9th at 3:30 pm I saw a bluebird that was gray where the eastern
is rust. The gray extended to the head. The blue in this bluebird was more
like a tree swallow blue with finely defined white tips on the wings when
folded and a very prominent white eye ring. It seemed larger than the
eastern. There was no streaking such as you would find in an immature. It
looked very much like the female western bluebird picture in the Nat. Geo.
guide except there was no rust. Or the mountain female except the gray was
very gray and smooth. The light was good. I watched it with and without
binoculars. Boy does this confuse me. I'm writing Bob Paxton and Barry
Kinzie this note.
Grace McCrowell
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