On 9/11/2011 7:41 PM, Sean Williams wrote:
> Hi Joanne,
>
> Your hummingbird indeed has some rufous wash to the flanks. However, young
> Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can show this feature, with some individuals
> being very rufous on the flanks. If rufous is not apparent on anywhere else
> on the bird (like the back or the head), the KEY area that needs to show
> rufous is the base of the outer tail feathers. Here is a photo sent to me
> last year that I was originally SURE that it was a Rufous Hummingbird based
> on the amount of rufous on the flanks:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3e2qcd5
>
> It turned out to be a very buffy Ruby-throated, with rufous present no where
> else but the flanks. Here's a photo that shows a Rufous Hummingbird that has
> the rufous on the flanks and tail, but nowhere else:
>
> http://gerlachnaturephoto.com/Photos/Rufous2.jpg
>
>
> Best of birding to all!
>
> Sean
>
I suspeced it was actually a young ruby throated, but the rufous wash
took me by surprise.  The bird always looked like a ruby throated,
mostly green, and I did not notice the rusty sides until I reviewed the
pictures.  The bird was visiting during mid-August, and most rufous
hummers appear here a little later. Thank you.

Joanne Konst

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