Clarice wrote:

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"I haven’t seen any discussion of the assumption of the bluetail (here in Washington) that it is a female.
"It is not just as likely that it is an immature male? Possible explanation for why it appears to be trying to sing.
"Anyone know the molt cycle on this bird.?"

Hi Clarice - I have little experience with the molt of this species, but did check the few references I had. Both Jonsson's "Birds of Europe" and the Collins "Bird Guide" note only a similarity of immature males and females: "1st summer male and female alike in coloration...".

Likewise, Mark Brazil's "Birds of East Asia" notes that "Immature male (also defends territory) much like female, but has brighter orange flanks, bluer tail and often some blue in wings."

My old 1984 copy of Svensson's "Identification Guide to European Passerines" was the 'Ringer's Guide' there for many years. For the Bluetail (Blåstjärt) he notes:

Moult: - Adult: "SC [Complete summer moult] (or WC? [winter complete]). Young: sp [partial summer moult] (or wp? [partial winter moult]) Post-nuptial moult starts late, and it is not clear whether it takes place before or after autumn migration. Birds in mid-Aug. still have not started, being very worn. An adult male in Korea, 19.x. [19th October], is fresh and moulted."

ID - Spring: "2y male/females: Crown to back and lesser coverts greyish-olive."

So, there seems to be little on the ID of immature males vs. females as regards general plumage characteristics. However, looking at birders' photos of the outer rectrices on our Lake Forest Park bird, they appear to me to be rounded. This would indicate an adult bird.