Hummingbird ID (1 Viewer)

I was initially thinking Rufous hummingbird. However, I'm thinking this may be an immature Allen's. I've never seen this bird where I live. We have two or three at the feeder. I saw a mature male last week that looked just like a mature Allen's. Given that I'm from South Carolina, it's not something I am familiar with.

Thanks for helping out!



http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMG_7709_zps2ab1e7ac.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMG_7707_zps7e064683.jpg


http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMG_7705_zpse1246da2.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMG_7636_zps91c11b87.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMG_7582_zps578b5987.jpg


http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMAG3588_zps0280da44.jpg

I'm going to go with Rufous. Allen's would be pretty rare where you are, and there are quite a few Rufous's moving through the southeast right now. Compare yours to these pictures of a Hatching Year (HY) female Rufous Hummingbird that was banded a week ago in north Georgia. HY means she hatched this spring or summer, so she is really only 3 or 4 months old and as you can see she is just beginning to get her iridescent gorget feathers. Her gorget looks pretty similar to your first picture.

What about the red on the left side of the neck? Does a female have coloring on the sides of the neck?


http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k598/XhailGC/IMAG3588_zps0280da44.jpg

Hi and welcome to BirdForum :t:

I'm gonna go with immature male Rufous as well. Just had one here in my yard in Myrtle Beach a week ago. That red is the beginning of his gorget coming into color.

KCFoggin said:

Hi and welcome to BirdForum :t:

I'm gonna go with immature male Rufous as well. Just had one here in my yard in Myrtle Beach a week ago. That red is the beginning of his gorget coming into color.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome!



I was surprised at how friendly they are. With the ruby-throated hummingbirds, I usually have to be prepare for the shot well ahead of time when I am close to the feeder. With these birds, they didn't pay my movement any attention.