[tn-bird] Black-chinned Hummer (Kingsport)

TN-Birders:

Dave Worley and Wallace Coffey found a Black-chinned
Hummingbird wintering at a feeder in Kingsport, Sullivan
County, TN today (2/19).

This is what we believe to be the fourth Tennessee 
record for the species.  It is the first Northeast Tennessee
record.

The bird has a great set of field characteristics including
the rounded to blunt outer primary.  The tail extends
beyond the wing tips.  The crown, nape, back, and
tail are solid green.  The bird has a decurved bill.  There
is a slight wash of rufous on the flanks. We think we 
can see a slight patch of gray in the cheek but that 
is difficult.  The throat area is somewhat uniformily
covered with specks.  There is a small gorget but it did
not reflect any color.  Their is a small white spot behind
the eye.

After visiting the feeder at 11 a.m. and watching the
bird make serveral visits, we took photos and stayed
with it for about 90 minutes. 

Knowing that other birders were in the field about 25
miles away, we placed a cell phone call to summons
their assistance.

Bryan Stevens, Howard Langridge, Reece Jamerson,
Donna Adams and John Adams quickly responded and
the seven of us were back at the feeder by 2 p.m.

In the next hour we took more photos.  Langridge and
others were able to study the bird with his 40X Questar
from about 50 feet and others used my 30X Kowa
at about 35 feet.  The bird held its wings low at one
visit allowing a good view of the rounded to blunt
wing tip.

Yes, we had a copy of the new Peterson's field guide
to the North American Hummingbirds to consult. We also
had National Geo and Sibley's guide.

The bird was first called to our attention in early January
when the hummer's host family contacted Marcia Davis,
bird columnist with the Knoxville News-Sentinel.  She
was leaving town and asked that someone run the
bird down.  I talked with the family Jan. 15 and placed
an appeal for birders in the Kingsport area to check
the bird.

When no banders arrived and no birders were able to
get to the bird, Worley and Coffey headed to Kingsport
to check it.  The family was convinced the bird was a
Ruby-throated.  But, during the Jan. conversation with
Coffey, was not aware that it could be anything else.

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
 

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