[mou] Another opinion on the hummingbird

[Laura Erickson]

Donald E. Mitchell, who has banded Selasphorus hummingbirds in California 
while doing graduate research, writes, "I reviewed the photos and agree 
with Mike Patterson that it is rufous/allen's. While I agree that the "five 
o'clock shadow" effect of the throat point towards immature male, typically 
that sex/age class has fewer scattered iridescent feathers, rather that the 
large central grouping that this bird has, which is more typical of adult 
females. Notice I used typically/typical in the last sentence--I have seen 
many Selasphorus in-hand that turned out not to be what I had initially 
thought. There are many birds that don't look like the typical birds 
photographed for Williamson's and Howell's guides, a point I believed is 
stressed in both guides. The degree of "shadow" in the throat seems to be 
more variable than some of the other characters. That said, I have never 
examined immature males this late in the year and it may be this bird is an 
immature male that has accumulated enough iridescent throat feathers for 
them to coalesce into a patch--Nancy Newfield would be a good source for 
more information on this, since she handles many Selasphorus at this time 
of year. It may also be that a bird this late this far north would more 
likely be an immature bird. At any rate, I think we can rule out immature 
female! I don't, however, think that Allen's can be ruled out. Contrary to 
what Mike wrote, I wouldn't rule out Allen's based on the width of the 
rectrices, especially if it is an adult female. Width of rectrices varies 
by sex and age class, with females having broader tail feathers than males. 
If it shows up again, try to get some tail shots!

It's been coming all morning, but stays still only a second before flitting 
off again--I've never seen such a skittish bird.  I'm still trying to get a 
photo of the spread tail.

Laura Erickson
Duluth, MN

NOTE address change: bluejay@lauraerickson.com

Producer, "For the Birds" radio program
<http://www.lauraerickson.com/>

There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of 
birds.  There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of 
nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.

                                 --Rachel Carson