Just a reminder to those lucky folks who are hosting hummingbirds at this
season: Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a good possibility at this time of year
(one is in Yonkers, New York at the moment:
http://birds.cornell.edu/crows/selashum02.htm), and it should be considered
carefully when identifying a Selasphorus hummingbird. The species shows very
little rufous in the plumage away from the sides/flanks and the base of the
tail -- the head is very "cold" in color, with no rufous or cinnamon, and the
overall impression is of a large, rotund, pale Selasphorus. The white
postocular spot is prominent, as is the dark spot in front of the eye, and
there is no real white forecollar. Other differences of wing and tail are
detailed in Sheri L. Williamson's "Hummingbirds of North America" (in the
Peterson Field Guide series) and in Steve N. G. Howell's "Hummingbirds of
North America: The Photographic Guide", both available from Amazon.com and
other booksellers and much recommended.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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