ML373587581

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Observation details

*First State Record for Vermont First noticed by Vicki S. at her home hummingbird feeder on 9/18/21, first reported to Vermont eBird by Vicki on 9/22/21 at 7:14am. Due to some original confusion about the location, it took next-level detective work by Jenn Megyesi to track down the actual location of this bird. Jenn reached out to Vicki and received permission for a small group of 3 birders (herself, myself, and Kevin T.) to come see the bird on the morning of 9/23/21. Vicki was extremely kind and welcoming, and understandably did not want hordes of birders descending on her quiet, small backroad hence the late posting of this report. We arrived ~6:30am and waited on the side porch for no more than 15 minutes before the hummingbird made its first appearance. Favoring a nearby lilac bush, the bird would routinely perch in the open on the lilac, and was occasionally dive-bombed by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The bird would visit the single hummingbird feeder around every 10-15 minutes, and would even come to the feeder when Vicki was standing motionless less than an arm’s length away! Field marks noted include black, decurved bill, iridescent green forehead, cap, nape, back, wings, throat, and sides, with iridescent violet auriculars and breast band. Tail blue above and below with a black subterminal band and buffy undertail coverts. Legs were indistinct and black, with no noticeable feathering, and there was a small patch of white just behind the eye. During aggressive interactions with the RTHU present, we got to hear and briefly record some vocalizations from the bird. These harsh staccato bursts of 3-4 dry chips match well with the recordings on the Sibley app and the Macaulay Library, and sounded distinctly different from the call note of a RTHU. This would appear to be the 3rd New England record, with previous reports from ME (2007) and CT (2017). The only other record in the immediate region is a report from QC (2008). Respecting the wishes of the homeowner, the presence of this bird was not broadcast on eBird, listservs, or social media channels until after it had appeared to leave the area around 9/26.

Technical information

Original file size

5.33 MB