Hummingbird, Anza-Borrego Desert, California, US, March 18, 2022 (1 Viewer)

[howiewu]

Hi,

I took picture of this hummingbird (female? Immature?) at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California on March 18, 2022.

My thinking is Black-chinned for the white outer tail feather tips. What do you think?

Thanks in advance,
Howard

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm thinking you may be right howie!

 

[rkj]

Many female hummingbirds have white on the tips of their outer tail feathers. Those on Black-chinned Hummingbirds tend to be more pointed than those on this bird. My best guess is that this is a Costa's Hummingbird.

 

[howiewu]

Hi, thanks. I have a few more pictures. The one perched on the branch is the same bird; I am less sure if the one in the nest is the same one, but I think it is (and judging from the pollen on its head, it likely is).

I hope these will be useful for the ID.

Thanks,
Howard

 

[rkj]

I still think Costa's is most likely for all of these.

 

[howiewu]

Not that I expect this to help with the ID, but I have a different question: from this picture I see some shiny feathers in its gorget. Is this even a female?

 

[pbjosh]

Anna's females frequently and Costa's females occasionally have a couple of gorget feathers visible.

Structurally this looks like a Costa's to me, though a side view of the perched bird to see relative wing/tail length can be helpful. The apparent couple of purple gorget feathers support Costa's. Also, Costa's tends to be the most common hummer in most of Anza Borrego, in my experience.

 

[howiewu]

Thanks, I am leaning toward Costa's too. Good bird regardless. Cheers!