Re: [cobirds] ID Challenge: Greeley Hummer

Hi all

Last item from regarding this bird (beneath signature) ... second response back from the AZ hummer birder. I know I learned quite a bit in this exercise myself :-)

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn

http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/

"I took the liberty of creating a quick comparison in photoshop which will hopefully put this bird's ID to rest. On the left is Black-chinned, then your bird, then Broad-tailed. Without even diving into specific field marks, it should be immediately apparent how similar the Black-chinned Hummingbird is to your bird in every way. In terms of plumage, that completely dark, almost black looking head with a tiny patch of white behind the eye is a classic Black-chinned look. Granted, the Broad-tailed was photographed in very different light, but I could not find a single image of a Broad-tailed where both the gorget and the rest of the head appeared completely and uniformly dark, or black, as in your bird.

Next, notice the differences in structure between your bird and the Broad-tailed. As I said before, we need to be careful when judging structure as the bird's individual posture and feathers can greatly influence this. However, notice that in general the Broad-tailed is very elongated and tubular, due to the very long tail which makes up almost half of the bird's length, while your bird and the Black-chinned have a much shorter tail that makes up at most one third of the bird's length. 

There's also a clear difference in terms of wing shape- notice how the leading edge of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird's wing is straight, where your bird and the Black-chinned Hummingbird's is curved upward towards the tail. Also noteworthy is your bird's notched tail, where Broad-tailed generally has a pointed or squared tail."

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 11:54:19 AM UTC-6, The "Nunn Guy" wrote:

Thanks for weighing in, Nick!

Gary Lefko, Nunn

http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 11:48:27 AM UTC-6, Nick Komar wrote:

Tail extends longer than wings. Straight bill. Thick neck consistent with Selasphorus sp. All adds up to Broad-tailed Hummingbird, which would only be about 30 miles out of range. Costas would have slightly curved bill, thinner primaries and flared gorget. 

Nick Komar

Fort Collins CO

On Jun 22, 2020, at 10:36 AM, 'The Nunn Guy' via Colorado Birds <cob...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Hi all

I was able to photo a hummer (backlit but lightened up photos a bit) in Greeley at Josephine B Jones Park and Open Space Sunday. ID?

Three photos here:

• http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/albums/photos/view/148/3442
• http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/albums/photos/view/148/3443
• http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/albums/photos/view/148/3444

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn

http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/

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