Yes, mostly likely a juvenile coming into adult plumage, which would account for the blue head and brown body. The body color is similar to females of the species, while the males are bright blue like this all over.



Teresa Michelsen

Snoqualmie WA



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Tyler
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 6:36 PM
To: Birder1944 at aol.com
Cc: Tweeters
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Identification help requested



Pretty sure that's a blue grosbeak.

Rick



On Aug 24, 2016 6:32 PM, <Birder1944 at aol.com> wrote:

Sorry, but this bird wasn't seen locally; nonetheless, the people on this mailing list have been all over the country, and I would like some help. I'm currently in SE Arizona, and I saw this bird today at Paton's Hummingbird Center in Patagonia.



It was feeding on the ground with doves and House Finches. The blue head completely threw me. I suspect it is some kind of genetic aberration or something, but maybe someone here has some information that would shed some light on it.



You can see five photos on my website at http://www.barry15.com/2016_Birding_Reports/Unknown_bird.html



Thanks for any ideas or help you can give me.



Barry Brugman

Kirkland, WA




_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters