ML497329001
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
First alerted to the possibility of a vagrant hummingbird by a post to a local group by Bethany Bergin. The original finder stated they may have a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird with color abnormalities that has been visiting their feeder for over 2 weeks(!). They also stated noticing differences in behavior. Permission was granted to enter the property and investigate which almost immediately revealed a Selasphorus hummingbird. The bird was buzzing up to the feeder and resting on the metal rings around the tomato plants for about an hour. As my friend and I watched we both noted the bright green back and the rufous sides with a small rufous patch on the rump(base of the tail feathers). We watched for another hour or so and both came to the general conclusion of female Rufous Hummingbird. After sharing the photos and asking around a few others were set on RUHU.. Still not fully convinced after reviewing photos and looking through guides. I returned the next day at around 8 am to find the RUHU at the feeder once again. I studied the bird for another 3 hours or so and noted the shape of the tail and the rounded outer tail feathers (Allens would be more narrow). Photos revealed a small white tip on the end of R2. I also found that when perched the tail did not project far past the wings as you see in photos of female Allen’s. The photos were also posted to an identification facebook group and confirmed by a hummingbird bander that the tail feathers were consistent with AHY/F Rufous. Many photos, including diagnostic spread tail shots showing tail shape and R2 feather consistent with Adult Female Rufous Hummingbird
Technical information
- Model
- Canon EOS 90D
- Lens
- 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports 014
- ISO
- 3200
- Focal length
- 309 mm
- Flash
- Flash did not fire
- f-stop
- f/6.3
- Shutter speed
- 1/1250 sec
- Dimensions
- 2429 pixels x 1619 pixels
- Original file size
- 1.23 MB