IBRC 68-B-09

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Anna's Hummingbird
HOW MANY: 1 Female - likely Juvenile

REPORTER: Cheryl Huizinga 15140 Christopher St Caldwell, ID 83605 208-459-4116
REPORTER EMAIL: bchuizinga@cableone.net
OTHER OBSERVERS: Cheryl Huizinga first noticed the bird. Husband Bob also saw it.

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 11-27-09
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 10-9-09 through 11-26-09
LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: 4 Miles So. of Caldwell in rural subdivision in NW corner of intersection of So. 10th Ave. and Hwy55/Karcher Rd.
HABITAT: Backyard
CONDITIONS: It has been observed almost daily at different times of the day coming to the nectar feeder on patio and perched in trees in backyard.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, another day after the observation
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, another day after the observation
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: 1.Sibleys Field Guide of Western N. America 2. Peterson Field Guide - Hummingbirds of N. America by Sheri Willimson

DESCRIPTION: This bird belongs to the Hummingbird Family(Trochilidae). This hummer is slightly chunky with a bronzy-green back. Bill is just slightly down-curved and tail is just slightly longer than the wing tips.
BEHAVIOR: It comes to nectar feeder often in the day starting at about 7:15 AM even on a cold morning. Doesn't wag it's tail. Doesn't stay at feeder very long. Goes to nearby tree to sit or flys off to another part of the neighborhood.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? At first I thought it was a lingering Black-chinned hummer and then noticed that the tail did not wag, the profile was chunkier than the BC and the coloring different.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? As stated above.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): I've seen the Anna's frequently when birding in AZ.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I have been birding for 7 years. Level is intermediate for local birds but novice for birds not in this locale.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photo

These photos were taken by Cheryl Huizinga and were not edited in any way by the webmaster.

This photograph was taken on 11 December 2009.  The image below is the same one except it's lightened up.