FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Selasphorus and Archilochus as same feeder

[James Brooks <comeback@xxxxxxxx>]

One of my readers of The Wild Life in The Johnson City Press, Irma 
Stefanini of Gray, wrote last week to say she had left her hummingbird 
feeder up like I recommended but now one of her hummers just sat over 
the feeder and drove the other away, and she was afraid it would die for 
lack of food.
I e-mailed her right back and said I wanted to see two winter hummers at 
the same feeder, but when I called on the way to her house she said only 
one had been seen all day, and she had put out a second feeder. She 
takes them in at night to keep them from freezing.
It took a good 40 minutes before the first bird showed up and I was 
sitting in the wrong chair. About 20 minutes later he returned and I got 
a good look at an immature male Selasphorus spp. hummingbird with a 
stickpin of his gorget beginning to form. He was mostly green on the 
back, with the rusty color almost entirely on the flanks. I did not get 
a glimpse of the tail feathers. Because this one is fairly well along in 
developing a gorget I am tending towards an Allen's due to the green back.
About 15 minutes later an Archilochus spp. bird came to the other 
feeder. It did not present a front view except when it was on the other 
side of the feeder, totally hidden from view. The back was solid emerald 
green, no evidence of tail pumping, bluish wing primaries while seated 
at the feeder and a faint post-ocular spot. The top of the head was 
solid green leading me to believe it was a female or immature 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
I suggested to Irma that we announce the birds in hopes of bringing a 
bander, who could confirm identity.
She agreed to accept visitors if they would call first and make 
arrangements. Her number is 423-477-2628.
Her home is located at 135 Freehill Extentsion in Gray. From the Gray 
exit on Interstate 181 go East and then turn right at the light onto 
Gray Station Road, follow it to the radio towers, turning onto Freehill 
Road. About a mile past the radio station continue straight at the stop 
sign onto Freehill Extension. The number is on the mail box, and it is 
the fourth house on the right.
You will be announced by dogs Tinker Bell and Puff barking inside.
This is the first time to my knowledge that two winter hummers of 
different species were coming to the same feeder.
At one time Irma said she thought she saw a third bird!
James Brooks


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