[cobirds] Costa's Hummingbird (El Paso)

COBirders,

 

Sorry about this long version but…

 

On 1 November an unidentified hummingbird, nicknamed Friday because of the day of the week on which it was found, was seen in a gated estate in Colorado Springs. The finders of the hummingbird put up a sugar water feeder and wrote to Aiken Audubon seeking information on methods needed to keep the bird alive but the message was delayed until the 26th.  Eventually photographs of the bird were obtained by the finders, caretakers on the estate, and the photos were circulated to a few birders.  Those who viewed the photographs believed the bird was likely a Costa’s Hummingbird, only 6 accepted records for Colorado.  When the bird was still alive on 26 November, Jeannie Mitchell contacted the caretakers and discussed the natural history of “our” hummingbirds, and in particular information on wintering attempts by hummingbirds in sub-zero temperatures. Jeannie asked for permission to view and photograph the bird.  Three local birders were admitted to the narrow courtyard of the caretakers’ house in Colorado Springs. After 30 minutes the hummer came to the feeder, also perching in a nearby tree.  The hummingbird visited the feeder about every 30 minutes (3x). The bird is a 1^st year male Costa’s Hummingbird, in molt, as is evident by the gorget color and shape, white belly and white stripe behind the eye, the short, pumping tail, and by comparing it to Anna’s Hummingbird photographs.  While viewing this bird is currently not a possibility to interested birders, a representative of Aiken Audubon will talk to the caretakers after Thanksgiving to inquire if they (and especially the owner of the property) would consider allowing birders access during designated times of the day.  There are a number of access issues that would need to be resolved before permission could be granted but in the very least another very cool bird at a late date in Colorado.   I will post a couple photographs of the hummingbird on the CFO Facebook pages in a bit.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all,

 

Bill Maynard

Colorado Springs