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Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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Posted by bella_trix z6b SE PA (My Page) on Fri, Oct 30, 09 at 15:18
| I was surprised to see a hummingbird out in my garden today. I was sure my resident had left for the winter. When I was closer, I realized he didn't look like my normal ruby-throated hummingbirds. He is much more tan, especially across his sides and lower back/tail. He has a single red dot under his throat and white tips on his tail. He is a lot more vocal than the ones I've had here in PA, both in frequency and volume. His wings don't make any unusual sound.
Do you think he is just an oddly tan juvenile ruby-throat or something more unusual? Whatever he is, he was having a ball in my garden (as every good hummingbird should). The late-blooming rosebud salvia was particularly popular this year.
Thanks!
Bellatrix |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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Wow--it looks like you have a juvie Rufus Hummingbird visiting you! I think that is VERY unusual as you are north of me (Delaware) in Pa. I would report this to your state wildlife people.
I have not heard of Rufus that far north. |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| Bella, you are very lucky. All of us easterners hope for a rare rufous hummingbird in autumn. |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| I got this off another site. It went on to say that sometimes these western hummers over-winter in your area. Better put your feeder back up! The appearance of these western hummingbirds is a phenomenon that has been realized only recently. Starting in the mid-1980s, each ensuing year has seemed to reveal more hummingbirds of more species in the late fall. In Maryland for example, one Rufous Hummingbird was recorded per decade from 1952 to 1981; in the 1980s there were two; from 1990-1993 there were four; from 1994-1997 there were seven; and from 1998-2000 there were eight. The trend has continued along this trajectory, with more Rufous Hummingbirds appearing in each subsequent year. The state's first Calliope came in 2004, followed by one in 2006 and another in 2007; the Anna's Hummingbird occurred in 2005. |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| What would these western hummers drink if they over winter in the north east? Bella_trix, what plant is that and is it normal for it to still be in bloom November 1st? |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| I am so excited about this! I contacted the people who study these Western hummingbirds that get off track. He's going to come try to band it and says it is definitely a Rufous or Allen's. But the big messages is: Get Those Feeders Back Up!! This little guy should be headed south(hopefully, not east) and will be doing it after a lot of the area gets frost. eigdeh - The plant is Black and Blue Salvia. It blooms all summer and fall until frost. I missed the last frost - it was very, very light and only got the basil. I still have rosebud salvia, pinapple sage, two native honeysuckles and other assorted sages blooming in the garden. Bellatrix |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| How super lucky you are to have a rufous. Most of the rest of us easterners can only dream. Thanks for sharing the pics. |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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Wow. I had hoped this year to see a Rufous, but haven't. I'm keeping up a feeder for at least another two months, just in case one stays over here for the winter.
Thanks for the post and photos Bellatrix.
I lke his rusty brown color. |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| Bellatrix You need to keep us updated did the bird hang around. Were the banders able to catch and band it etc. Steve |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| He's still here! The banders are coming out tomorrow. They are also going to band two rufous hummingbirds that are just west of me in Ephrata, PA. I'll try to keep updating, but I unfortunately have one of the flu's right now, so I'm not as with-it as I usually am. I just came back to post a "keep your feeders up" message. Do any of you know what other hummingbird forums are around? Hummingbird people should know that there are at least three Rufous Hummingbirds heading south from PA in the middle of frost weather. Bellatrix |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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- Posted by ga.karen 8 a/b Moultrie, Ga. (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 2, 09 at 20:51
Try posting on HGTV General Gardening forum. There are lots of us hummer folks there.
One gal from N. Al. just posted to keep the feeders up cause she recently saw some ruby throats. I haven't seen any for about 4 days now, but I alway leave my feeders up until late since I am so close to the gulf coast.
If you can post a pic...I'm sure that would help! |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| Scott, the hummingbird bander, came out today and identified my visitor as a juvenile male rufous hummingbird. Scott was able to see a few adult rufous feathers on his back that have molted in to positively identify him. When Scott and his friends first arrive, the hummingbird was very obliging and buzzed around us and at nearby flowers. Unfortunately, he disappeared as soon as the trap was set up and they were unable to catch and band him. The little bugger showed back up five minutes after they had left. Smart little guy! Bellatrix |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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So cool. I had one here in Houston a couple of weeks ago. He looked pretty beat up. All up his chest was scarred and his neck feathers were all ruffled up. I don't know how to post a pic here but I took a couple that turned out.
What kind of trap did they put out? |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| Aren't you lucky! We don't get ANY hummingbirds here at this time of year! But, as long as there's food, they'll stick around for you. I wish our growing season was just a little bit longer... |
RE: Help Identifying an odd tan hummingbird
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| My Rufous hummingbird visitor has left my garden. I saw him last on Thursday, November 5th. The frost wiped out most of my hummingbird plants on Friday and I have not seen him since. Here is one of the last pictures of him sitting on top of my bean trellis. This same day, I watched him chase a goldfinch out of the garden. He was quite a character and I'm thrilled he stopped by. 
Bellatrix |
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