This is the first time in over 15 years of class field trips to this area that we have seen this species. This species is still very scarce but apparently increasing within the city limits of San Francisco. The race S. m. occidentalis is found along the Coastal Slope from British Columbia to Baja. They are variable in appearance but usually have chestnut on the back reaching the forward scapulars. Their blue color averages paler than other races. In many areas, this species has declined because of competition from introduced European Starlings. Bluebird trails and conservation management have met with some success.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held(no adapter)