Overcast this morning, handheld, not much light (had to open aperture). This adult was perching on the utility wire above my driveway near a House Finch. Although the breast color looks dull, the color extends downward, which I think, together with the blue on the wings, reveals it to be a male. Although our winters can be quite cold, our local Bluebirds surprisingly don't seem to migrate. On December 27, 2013, I was standing on my porch and one flew down from the roof onto the porch rail! I have photos of Bluebirds from December and February, but none from January (perhaps they migrate to a local, warmer area during that month). I don't know of anyone in the area who has put up nest boxes, but several decades ago, the 4H Club put up boxes along the local road. There is a semi-enclosed, outdoor furnace on this property; so perhaps during the winter the Bluebirds roost on or in that enclosure at night.
