I just had a hummingbird at my feeder … first time I have seen one this fall but I keep the feeder out in hopes. I am by no means hummingbird ID capable … I find them maddeningly difficult when I am out west. But this bird was not a Ruby Throated. I only saw if from the side and very close … the feeder is about a foot outside the window. I didn't see the tail at all … other then to see that it extended beyond the wings. The bird was all fluffed up … and had rufous side breast and rufous above and parallel the wing on the back. The back was green … the bird gave an overall impression of a green bird with rufous highlights. The bill was also different than the Ruby to me … very thin and needle like. Maybe longer, or just the impression of longer?
If anyone has any ID tips for when/if it comes back let me know.
What should I call this … my guess is female rufous?? I goggled for some pictures and found this picture that looks very much like my bird:
http://www.seeingbirds.com/photos/screensize/1141
Looking in eBird there are no records of Ruby in the last week of Nov or any of December.
If it comes back I will attempt a picture … and let everyone know.
Thanks,
Matt
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