This species is endemic to interior valleys and foothills of central California.. It is very rare along the coast and there are only a few previous records for San Mateo County. This free flying, presumably wild individual was attracted to a captive Yellow-billed Magpie confined in an outdoor enclosure at the Coyote Point Museum of Natural History. This is undoubtedly the same bird seen at this location 18 March 2010 by Ron Thorn. Additional photo by Linda Swanson here.
The species has suffered severe declines as a consequence of West Nile virus infection in recent years.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope 3 | 30X WA | hand-held (no adapter)