Hummingbird ID needed - Hatfield Pennsylvania (1 Viewer)

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bfrechem

New member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #1

Hello from a newbie!

Attached is a picture of a hummingbird I would appreciate an ID on. Probably a slam dunk for you experts, but just a neat "Jane Doe" to this newbie!

View attachment hummingbird.bmp

Thanks,

-Bart

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Aug 30, 2008

• #2

The default hummer in your area is the ruby-throated hummingbird. I should leave the possibility of a rarity to someone else, and just wish you wellcome here at Birdforum.

Niels

 

MLoyko

d[-_-]b

• Aug 30, 2008

• #3

Hello from one Pennsylvanian to another,

Yes the most common Hummingbird as stated by Niels is Ruby-Throated but the occasional visitor will show up once and again...I'm going to say female Rudy-Throated but I'll leave the positive ID to somebody else!

Welcome from Whitehall,
Matt

 

H

humminbird

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #4

Can't see much to work with on this bird. Heavy bill and apparently green head would tend toward Ruby-throated. Not sure what is going on with the side of the face and upper throat. Not a typical way for the gorget to molt by any means.

 

birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Aug 30, 2008

• #5

Classic Ruby-throated.

 

jcwings

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #6

Has to be Ruby-throated. I was taken with the amount of rufous on the sides. The Williamson guide (Hummers of NA) states that females often have tawny patches on the flanks so apparently this is a common feature. Never seen one in CA, although there is a nice male in Nevada County right now.

 

H

humminbird

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #7

Would sure be interested in the reasoning for "classic Ruby-throated" and "has to be Ruby-throated". I concur in the identification, but am confused by the descriptors.

 

birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Aug 30, 2008

• #8

humminbird said:

Would sure be interested in the reasoning for "classic Ruby-throated" and "has to be Ruby-throated". I concur in the identification, but am confused by the descriptors.

Click to expand...

Well, there's nothing wrong with RTHU. The flank and throat color combo eliminates all Selasphorus hummers, the vagrant Calype (Anna's) and Green Violetear. Bill shape and colors also excludes the eastern Amazilias and mango. Black-chinned is, of course, very similar to RTHU. The only characteristic that shows well here is the beak, which is fairly short and absolutely straight. BCHUs is longer and slightly decruved. Were it sitting you could probably see the emerald crown as well as the short and thin wings.

Most of the hummingbird queries on this forum are from people who know they're seeing hummingbirds but they're not sure which type. These people are generally not picking out strange hummers out of their feeder flock. PA has a good handful of Selasphorus sps records, several definite Rufous records, and even Calliope has made the list. All I'm saying is northeast hummers are going to Ruby-throateds unless proven otherwise.

 

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humminbird

Well-known member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #9

Could not agree more, but the way that throat is developing and the color on the side is not classic. It is within norms, but hardly what you would see in any field guide.