ML646359030

Observation details

Continuing since mid October! Even survived a night at about -4F on 12/5 morning. Apparently immature male plumage. Challenging photo conditions due to distance/lighting/skiddishness/cold. Donna Ellis has spread tail photos. https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/646376927 https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/646376852 12/5 - Changed ID to Rufous based on the following: * Scott Weidensaul said "It’s definitely a juvenile male, but I'd like to share the pics with a few people for their opinion. The bird is missing the tip of R2 on the right side, and the R2 on the left isn’t sharp when you really zoom in, but I think I see the suggestion of a notch, which would be diagnostic for a RUHU. But trying to judge the width of R5 is trickier…it’s not as pin-like as I’d expect to see on an ALHU but I’d like a second opinion". * Scott Weidensaul stated that he heard from Allen Chartier. Scott says "Allen Chartier in Michigan, a member of the MI bird records committee in years past, thinks it’s likely a rufous but suggested it be listed as Rufous/Allen’s, but Allen is by nature a conservative guy. I think the balance of evidence suggests a RUHU". * Sheri Williamson said "Though both R2s appear to have damaged tips, there's enough of the feathers left to see the "pinch" of the Rufous. The width of R5, covex sides of R2, amount of rufous on the rump, and the relatively balanced white at the tip of R3 are all consistent with that ID". * For what it's worth, there is concurrently an adult female (banded) RUHU at a feeder in Bath, ME that also made it through the recent cold night. * There are no confirmed ALHU records for NH and none north of MA. Conversely, there are many confirmed records of RUHU in NH, Maine, and Vermont. While I would suggest very strict documentation to offer an ALHU ID, I'd say it is probably fine to ID this as RUHU based on the current evidence.