Updated Photo Study Of A Female Selasphorus sp. Hummingbird In Lehigh County, PA, November 10th, 11th and 14th, 2010

    Ed Sinkler reported a probable Selasphorus Hummingbird coming to his feeders at his Fountain Hill home last week. He and his wife graciously invited birders
    to camp out in their backyard to watch the bird. Arlene Koch was the first to verify that the hummer was indeed a Selasphorus sp. The various Selasphorus species can
    be very difficult, if not impossible, to id solely from field observations and photographs. We were hoping that Scott Weidensaul would be able to trap, band and positively
    identify the exact species of this beautiful little hummingbird but alas, despite two separate efforts, she could not be caught. I say she, because our three local hummingbird experts,
    Arlene Koch, Scott Weidensaul and Wayne Laubscher have all said that the bird is most probably an adult, female Rufous or Allen's. Without having the hummingbird in-hand,     however, there is no way to accurately differentiate between the two species.

    The Sinklers have two hummingbird feeders up in their bird-friendly backyard, one under their deck and another hanging from their clothesline out in the open. I was able
    to photograph the bird on three different days. The following images were taken on November 10th and 11th:

    And the following images were taken on November 14th between 7:30 and 8:27 AM, the last time it was seen at the feeders. On previous days this week, the hummingbird was
    coming to the feeders every six to eighteen minutes and feeding for up to a minute. This last hour, however, the bird was visiting the feeder every four to six minutes and
    staying for three to four minutes at a time. It seemed to us that it was tanking up to continue its migration:

    It is only the second time that we have seen an Allen's in Pennsylvania. Its close relative is the Rufous which we do see a little more often. In any event, the Sinklers'
    Hummingbird has been sort of a mystery to the experts because of its atypical coloration. There's no question that these Selasphorus sp. hummers really do love to keep
    us guessing!

    The photos below were taken November 10th and 11th. To see a larger image of any of the photos below, please click on either the thumbnail or the caption.

     The photos below were taken November 14th. To see a larger image of any of the photos below, please click on either the thumbnail or the caption.

Howard B. Eskin 2010      Please email your comments to hbeskin@voicenet.com      Please click here to go back to Bird Webpage Index