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December 2009

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Subject:
From:
"Allen T. Chartier" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Allen T. Chartier
Date:
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:19:18 -0500
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Ohio Birders,

Please let me clarify things before the wild speculation gets even wilder.
Interpreting the use of the word "probable" in the email announcing the
presence of this bird is erroneous (my preference would have been "highly
likely"). In-hand, Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds can be identified more
than 99% of the time using a combination of plumage characters, feather
shapes, and measurements. I have banded nearly 60 Rufous Hummingbirds in
three states, but have never banded an Allen's though I have worked with
them in Louisiana with another bander. This individual has only 8 tail
feathers instead of the usual 10. And although it is an immature bird, 7 of
the 10 tail feathers are adult-type. The measured widths of both outer tail
feathers (one is adult, one is immature) are both diagnosticly narrow (up to
1/2 mm narrower than a Rufous should be) for Allen's Hummingbird. This is
probably sufficient for the bird to be accepted by the state records
committee, though I don't want to pre-judge that. My caution in being "only"
99% certain of the ID when I left the home was based on this being a first
state record, and the fact that I wasn't positive which two feathers were
missing. I was simply being cautious until I made the 200+ mile drive home
to be able to check more references and look at my photos of the bird more
closely to verify some of my suspicions about these missing tail feathers. I
like to be thorough before claiming a first state record. All the tail
feathers of this bird are very pointed, and the outer three are very narrow.
With good views of the spread tail, it is reasonable to say that it could be
identified in the field with perhaps 80-90% confidence (depending on how
experienced you are with these birds).

So, the bottom line is that it would be nearly impossible to make a case
that this is a Rufous Hummingbird, based on the measurments. Please do not
put off going to see this bird based simply on the use of the word
"probable" and subsequent misinterpretations of it. The homeowner is very
gracious and willing, and the bird should be cooperative, but who knows for
how long.

Allen T. Chartier
amazilia1(at)comcast.net
Inkster, Michigan, USA

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