ML614802445
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Observation details
A report by Sam Vasen on the afternoon of Saturday the 10th of an early RTHU created quite a stir locally. While climate change has us living in an "anything is possible anywhere, anytime" moment, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in NY in February would still be unprecedented and far less likely than a western species. Brooklyn birders were quick to organize and checked the spot while it was still light out (without success) and managed to get a sugar water feeder put out overnight (TY Josh). Tripper Paul relocated the bird around 9:30am Sunday morning. The hummingbird reappeared after a 30-40 minute wait. It was clearly a selasphorus hummingbird by the orange coloring in the flanks, lower back and tail feathers. The bird began to feed on honeysuckle flowers and it's central gorget feathers occasionally flashed bright orange, ruling out Broad-tailed and Calliope Hummingbirds. The fairly straight bill, broad, rounded tail feathers and the notch on the inner side of R2 all support identification as a Rufous and not an Allen's, which would show much narrower tail feathers and a different shaped R2. Certainly not an easy ID and much credit to all those in the pixel community who managed excellent images of the spread tail. Photos/ slow motion video.
Technical information
- Camera
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 111.96 MB