Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), Ft. Lowell Park, Pima County

These Eastern Bluebirds were part of a group of up to six found 14 December 2014 by Dave Stejskal, Richard Carlson, Peter Salomon, and Roger Wolf and photographed by Jeremy Medina on 01 January 2015

Rare in the lowlands of southeastern Arizona. The bright white belly, blue crown, and rufous breast; along with speckled blue and white malar and throat; suggest these are of the eastern nominate subspecies. This taxon is considered casual in Arizona, but is expanding its range within New Mexico and reports may be increasing in Arizona. The resident "Azure Bluebird" S. s. fulva is considered nonmigratory and is unlikely to occur out of range.

The white belly and rufous to the sides of the neck are characteristic of both sexes of Eastern Bluebird.

01 January 2015, photo by Jeremy Medina

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer