Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana
The adult male Western Bluebird in the left photo was observed on May 9, 2014 in Briones Regional Park, Orinda, CA. The juvenile Western Bluebird on the right looks quite different from the adults, with grayish head and heavy spotting on the breast and back. The juvenile was seen on July 10, 2015 at the San Leandro Reservoir, CA, entered by EBMUD permit from the Valle Vista Staging Area in Moraga. I have also seen Western Bluebirds numerous times near Inspiration Point, with an interesting caveat--they are almost always on the eastern or Orinda side that requires an EBMUD permit to enter, and rarely on the western or Berkeley side that is part of Tilden Regional Park. I sometimes see them sitting on the fence that divides the two areas. There must be some abrupt change in habitat that they perceive at that border. I notice the same habitat sensitivity in my area of north Berkeley--I have never seen a Western Bluebird at or from my home, even though occasionally I observe them one block higher up the hill. (Click on images to see enlarged versions.)