[Birdtalk] Hummingbirds - Rufous

[MarJean Muhlestein]

For the last week or so I have been getting the Rufous hummers at my feeders. They are a joy to watch scrap it out around the feeders with the Black-chinned, and Broad-tailed. I haven't seen any males as yet, unless they are juvenile, and harder for me to ID against the females. The unmistakable copper penny color of the entire bird is hard to miss in the adult males. I have been getting many females and juveniles. As Bill mentioned, the rufous on the tail, and up into the back is a good ID. The tail is rounded when it spreads out.  I also like to look at the throat pattern. It usually is well defined, and a large red/dark pink dot in the center. Enjoy your hummers folks, the little jewels are here for a moment, and then they are gone all toooo soooon. 

MarJean M.
"Oh the Joy of Birding"
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: M. H. Wallace<mailto:Pooder at xmission.com> 
  To: BirdTalk<mailto:birdtalk at utahbirds.org> 
  Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 8:58 PM
  Subject: [Birdtalk] Hummingbirds - Rufous


  This evening, as the thunderstorm abated and the rainbows came out, I have had a few Rufous Hummingbirds at my feeders.  I can't get good enough photos to determine if their tails are notched, so I can't say they are not Allen's, although Sibley shows their range as not extending into northern Utah/Salt Lake County, whereas Rufous' range does certainly extend to our region.  With the brilliant orange colors, not just on the tails but over considerable portions of the tail, body and chin, there is no mistake that these are Rufous, or slightly possibly Allen's, Hummingbirds.  (If you want to post your thoughts on the possibility of Allen's, I'd welcome that...I'll leave that to those of you who know more than I.  I may be avid, but I'm no expert...)  Of course, the Rufous' and the Black-chinned Hummers were competing for space, chasing each other off.

  I was on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, near Mack's Inn, Idaho on Saturday, July 28.  My family was paddling down river in canoes, when a furious hail storm hit.  A very nice couple beckoned us to the shelter of their porch.  Alas, they had hummingbird feeders up.  While we were waiting out the storm, under their porch, I saw several Rufous Hummingbirds at there feeders too.  This couple told me that they have so many Hummers that they fill their two quart-sized feeders daily.

  So, there are Rufous Hummingbirds in Salt Lake County and southwest of West Yellowstone this Summer.

  Matthew Wallace
  East Millcreek, Salt Lake County
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