Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea |
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The Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) is a fairly common breeding bird across much of North America and Mexico. The bird winters as far south as Costa Rica. The first two shots show a male in Hidalgo Co., Texas in April, 2006. The bird still shows some brown feather edges which will wear away to reveal a completely blue plumage in the weeks to come. The third shot at right was also taken in Hidalgo Co., Texas, but in May, 2006, and shows a male in nice plumage. These three shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender. | |
This shot shows a female Blue Grosbeak in the Davis Mountains of west Texas in Jeff Davis Co., during June, 2005. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender. | |
The next 3 shots show male Blue Grosbeaks in several different stages of spring moult. These birds were coming to a water hole to drink on a hot April, 2009, afternoon, in Starr Co., Texas. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens and 1.4X extender. | |
The male Blue Grosbeak in the next six images was at Fort Niobrara N.W.R., Cherry Co., Nebraska, in July, 2011. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender. | |
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea immature male Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers Co., Texas 23 April 2018 |
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Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea male Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co., Texas 24 April 2018 |