floraphile Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 05 Jan 2021 Baldwin co. AL Any idea what species (or even just the genus) for this hummingbird? I have no shots of him in flight. This is a different individual than the confirmed Rufous that has been visiting. Is that a band on his right foot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) I don’t know what’s up with the black on the face, but I’ll suggest Broad-tailed. However, I’m probably wrong. I don’t know if you get them down there, just feels like one to me. Long tail, Buffy sides, short thin bill, all green back. I’m thinking it’s not archilochus due to its posture. Edited January 6, 2021 by Connor Cochrane 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 5 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said: I don’t know what’s up with the black on the face, but I’ll suggest Broad-tailed. I don’t know if you get them down there, just feels like one to me. Long tail, Buffy sides, short thin bill, all green back. I’m thinking it’s not archilochus due to its posture. Why not Ruby-throated? Thanks! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) 11 minutes ago, lonesome55dove said: Why not Ruby-throated? Thanks! ? It sure could be. Ruby-Throat used to be the only candidate, year-round, & that made it easy for me. Now we have several western species (and the occasional Buff-Bellied) visit us throughout the winter. Now, as far as hummingbirds in Alabama go, I don't even know anymore. Edited January 6, 2021 by floraphile typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said: I don’t know what’s up with the black on the face, but I’ll suggest Broad-tailed. However, I’m probably wrong. I don’t know if you get them down there, just feels like one to me. Long tail, Buffy sides, short thin bill, all green back. I’m thinking it’s not archilochus due to its posture. A Broad-Billed was seen in Oct 2020: Macaulay Library ML 268700621 I don't know enough to say if the ID was correct. The photo isn't marked "Unconfirmed". How does one determine if a species on a checklist has been confirmed? Edited January 6, 2021 by floraphile typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 20 minutes ago, lonesome55dove said: Why not Ruby-throated? Thanks! ? It certainly could be, but it just doesn’t fell like one to me. Shape looks more like an selasphorus to me. It’s lacking the dark auriculars that I’m used to on a BCHU/RTHU (though I’ve had some individuals missing it). Like always with female hummingbirds, a tail spread shot can help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 4 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said: It certainly could be, but it just doesn’t fell like one to me. Shape looks more like an selasphorus to me. It’s lacking the dark auriculars that I’m used to on a BCHU/RTHU (though I’ve had some individuals missing it). Like always with female hummingbirds, a tail spread shot can help. I will try and get a pic of tail feathers in flight. Those suckers are fast! The banders are coming back Thursday, maybe they can catch both birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 40 minutes ago, floraphile said: It sure could be. Ruby-Throat used to be the only candidate, year-round, & that made it easy for me. Now we have several Western (and the occasional Buff-Bellied) visit us throughout the winter. Now, as far as hummingbirds in Alabama go, I don't even know anymore. I live in the PNW so I'm not familar with Ruby's at all so I was just curious. Thanks! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 25 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said: It certainly could be, but it just doesn’t fell like one to me. Shape looks more like an selasphorus to me. It’s lacking the dark auriculars that I’m used to on a BCHU/RTHU (though I’ve had some individuals missing it). Like always with female hummingbirds, a tail spread shot can help. Thank you for your explaination...that will help me to see what you are seeing and talking about. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Please I know I sound nuts, but I think this is an immature male black chinned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 23 minutes ago, IKLland said: Please I know I sound nuts, but I think this is an immature male black chinned? Actually, Black-chinned was my first thought too but the bill looks too straight for BCHU and given the fact that the OP is in Alabama that lead me to think Ruby-throated instead. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Just now, lonesome55dove said: Actually, Black-chinned was my first thought too but the bill looks too straight for BCHU and given the fact that the OP is in Alabama that lead me to think Ruby-throated instead. ? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 2 minutes ago, IKLland said: Thanks You're welcome! It very well may be a Black-chinned. I was just stating my thoughts on why I ruled it out and went with Ruby-throated. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, IKLland said: Please I know I sound nuts, but I think this is an immature male black chinned? Projection looks too short to me. I’ve seen many black-chinned. Here’s the closest one I’ve seen to the bird in question, most I’ve seen look totally different. I think this is a female and I saw it in September. even at this angle where projection looks shorter than it actually is it still seems off. You can see other differences as well. Edited January 6, 2021 by Connor Cochrane 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 33 minutes ago, Connor Cochrane said: Projection looks too short to me. I’ve seen many black-chinned. Here’s the closest one I’ve seen to the bird in question, most I’ve seen look totally different. I think this is a female and I saw it in September. even at this angle where projection looks shorter than it actually is it still seems off. You can see other differences as well. Thank you for posting this. I started to mention wing projection to IKLland but then decided I might be getting too far out on a limb by letting my alligator mouth overload my hummingbird butt!! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 11 hours ago, IKLland said: Please I know I sound nuts, but I think this is an immature male black chinned? 10 hours ago, lonesome55dove said: Actually, Black-chinned was my first thought too but the bill looks too straight for BCHU and given the fact that the OP is in Alabama that lead me to think Ruby-throated instead. ? Black-chinneds are seen fairly frequently here in Winter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLecy Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 This gives an archilochus vibe to me. That clean, unstreaked throat doesn't look like a f/imm Broad-tailed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 It's pouring here right now, but the banders are still going to try and band if the rain eases up a little. If/when I get an ID, I will update here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floraphile Posted January 7, 2021 Author Share Posted January 7, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, floraphile said: It's pouring here right now, but the banders are still going to try and band if the rain eases up a little. If/when I get an ID, I will update here. They could not catch him in my yard, but are going to several other yards nearby today that have been seeing Western hummers. Here is the arrangement (with apologies for the poor composition. My seed feeder is not microscopic and not hanging from the hummer feeder within the trap ? ? Edited January 7, 2021 by floraphile typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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