Odd bluebird at the Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve

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This bluebird was first observed hanging out on the fence post in the parking lot of Oasis Visitor Center by a new seasonal ranger. After he took a photo of it he thought that it looked like a mountain bluebird. I figured that it was an eastern bluebird, but after Teri Zambon and me took photos of it yesterday we are beginning to think that it could possibly be a mountain bluebird. The bird seemed to have a longer primary extension than an eastern plus the bill seems a little longer and thinner. The bird's chest and flanks is a grayish buff, much like the mountain bluebirds we have seen in western parks. It's also acting like the mountain bluebirds I've observed in the west as it seems to be hanging around only in the open areas near the parking lot, although other bluebirds will hang in open areas as well. We often have a decent amount of eastern bluebirds in Big Cypress, but this bird just popped up this week and it has been alone. We have more photos if anybody would like to try to ID it as well. I've observed a lot of mountain bluebirds in the west but this one has me stumped. It could just be a washed out eastern bluebird but who knows with all the bird wackiness that's going around right now in the area! If anyone would like to help with this bird identification my email is david_true@nps.gov or call the Oasis Visitor Center at 239-695-1201. Thanks!

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