Date: 7/13/26 8:25 pm From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Hummer: Allen's or Rufous ?
Hi birders,
This evening I saw a Selasphorus hummingbird on our feeder. At first I
thought it was an immature Allen's Hummingbird, which likely breed in my
neighborhood, although I've never been able to confirm. Initially I was
quite hopeful for a breeding confirmation. But after capturing some
images early this evening, through a tinted double pane window,
including a blurry partially spread tail shot, now I'm not so sure. Here
are 3 very large, cropped, but otherwise purposely unprocessed images:
If you have insight on whether this bird is a Rufous or Allen's
hummingbird and are willing to share, I'd be great to read.
Right now, based on the tail shot, I'm leaning towards a female/immature
type Rufous Hummingbird. Perhaps migrating south after the breeding
season further north. Seems early but... That beings said, in the second
shot 13c, we can just make out the hint of an orange "eyebrow", which is
mentioned for Allen's Hummingbird in my, ahem, "vintage" edition
(Copyright 2000), large Sibley Guide to Birds book.
