cessna821 - 1-12-2013 at 12:56 PM
Hi there Birdlovers
Does anybody know the answer?
Yesterday I thought I had a Rufous Hummingbird at my feeder. Today he is back with either two females or juveniles. Today I looked at Allen's
Hummingbirds and they are so similar to Rufous that I am now confused by what I am seeing - as according to what I have found, on the web, it is too
early for them to be here? Which one is the most likely to be vacationing with me in Mulegé?
Thanks.
Here's some shots I have
BigOly - 1-12-2013 at 01:54 PM
of Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds. First one is Allen's. Usually, but not always, will have mostly green on the Top of the head and back. Next two
are Rufous Hummers. Usually mostly rufous color on the top of head and much of the back. Very hard to tell apart unless there is a photo of the tail
feathers closeup and feathers spread apart. I think you're out of normal range for either but I don't have my books here. I'd like to see some
photos, please. Allen's
Rufous
Rufous
Skipjack Joe - 1-12-2013 at 02:17 PM
That's not an Allens. Allen's have green bodies. Rufus seems right.
BigOly - 1-12-2013 at 02:47 PM
Skipjack, you may be thinking of an Anna's Hummingbird. Some of them have some green on their bodies. Mulege is out of range for either. But, birds
have wings and can go where they want so, maybe Allen's?
SteveD - 1-12-2013 at 03:59 PM
The Rufus hummers have a wide white band around their throats and the head and back color is a tan/orange. They are also very territorial. Since the
started showing up at our home in Long Beach a few years ago all the other types dissapeared. We have four feeders and except for a feeding frenzy at
dusk each feeder will be guarded by a single Rufus. We use to see more hummers than the feeders could hold but now the most we see are 2 or 3 at
dusk.
BigOly - 1-12-2013 at 04:33 PM
The normal range for Allen's and Rufous Hummingbirds overlap in the S.Calif. area. Field I.D. is very difficult even for experts to distinguish one
from the other. Male Allen's Hummingbirds have a green back and rump. Rarely, male Rufous Hummingbirds show a green back, so look closely. If you see
any completely rufous feathers (not just rufous-edged) on the back, it is a Rufous Hummingbird. Female and juvenile Rufous and Allen's hummingbirds
are nearly indistinguishable in the field - it's probably better not to try to identify them during migration, when their ranges overlap considerably.
In Allen's Hummingbirds, the outermost tail feather is narrower than the other tail feathers. Among other female hummingbirds
update
BigOly - 1-13-2013 at 01:04 PM
cessna was kind enough to take time to photograph the hummingbird's tail feathers spread out and forward the shots to me. There are notches on some
of the tail feathers which are diagnostic of Rufous Hummers. This is definitely a Rufous Hummingbird. Good work cessna821!
mulegemichael - 1-13-2013 at 04:47 PM
the only hummers we've seen at our multiple feeders in mulege this winter are costa's and xantus...no others...congrats if you have others!!!