#70-B-07

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

HOW MANY: 1 Female; assumed adult by lack of visible striations on the bill as well as a well defined gorget patch at this relatively early date

REPORTER: Doug Ward
8362 Selkirk Ct.
Hayden, ID 83835

REPORTER EMAIL: ward@revettminerals.com, dkplus2@verizon.net

OTHER OBSERVERS: Found by: Doug Ward
Also seen by: Karen Ward & Shirley Sturtz

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 31 July 2007

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 20-25 July 2007

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: 8362 Selkirk Ct. Hayden; Kootenai County, ID

HABITAT: Suburban Yard and adjacent secondary conifirous woods (Ponderosa/Douglas Fir/Western Larch)

CONDITIONS: Seen numerous times over several days under various lighting conditions. Very cooperative around feeders allowing approach to within 5 feet. Used 8X40 binoculars and digital camera zoom (to 10X)

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, another day after the observation

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, during the observation

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:

1) “The Sibley Guide to Birds”; Sibley; 2000

2) “Advanced Birding”; Ken Kauffman; 1990

3) “Hummingbird Research & Records”; www.trochilids.com; 2007

DESCRIPTION: Obviously a female/immature hummingbird with generally green coloration above, light grayish-green coloration below, white tipped outer retricies, and lack of a fully colored gorget (throat). Overall the bird appeared fairly dark in comparison with the other species of hummingbird present (Rufous, Calliope and Black-chinned).

Plumage: Upper side uniform dull iridescent green from nasal tuft over crown to upper tail coverts; brightest on lower back, rump and upper tail coverts. Fresh (?) feathers gave slight grayish (not brownish) wash to the dorsal parts of the bird, particularly the crown and nape. Tail was entirely black with the exception of the three outer retricies which were tipped with white. Under parts mottled dull green and light gray on flanks and across upper breast. Under tail coverts, and lower belly, whitish. Upper chest to side of lower neck grayish-white giving the appearance of an indistinct collar which terminated at roughly the “shoulder” of the bird. The throat was whitish and fairly heavily mottled with grayish-green feathers. The lower throat exhibited a solid rosy colored central gorget patch; no other rosy gorget feathers noted anywhere else on the throat indicating that this bird was likely a female. Lores were black but did not extend to the bill. Showed white post ocular spot which tapered into an indistinct auricular stripe extending down the side of the head. Also had a thin white line from the bill to just below the eye.

Bill / Feet / Eye Color: Bill and feet black. Eye dark.

Structure: Large and relatively stocky compared to our local hummingbirds (Rufous, Calliope and Black-chinned). Bill was straight (both culman and lower mandible), relatively robust and only slightly longer than its head length in proportion. Head appeared very round with a high crown. Wings were moderately long extending to near the end of the tail when perched. Wing shape was tapered, or “saber” like. Tail was fairly broad, squared or slightly notched, and of medium length.

BEHAVIOR: Feeding on ornamental flowers (mint, lavender and various composites) and resting in our yard and garden as well as visiting our hummingbird feeders. Fairly aggressive though not vocal. When sitting, would hold bill slightly inclined. In flight, particularly when hovering, would hold tail in line with its back, and would not “flick” or fan its tail often. Generally a fairly calm hummer. No apparent “wing whir”.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? Initially knew this was an unusual hummingbird by its size, shape, and relative dark coloration. When it turned in direct light, its rosy gorget patch was obvious which cinched it for me. I then hit the guides to confirm.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Species considered included the Archilochus (Black-chinned (A. alexandri) and Ruby-throated (A. colubris)), Selasphorus (Rufous (S. rufus) and Braod-tailed (S. platycercus)), Calliope (Stellula calliope) and Costa’s (Calypte costae) hummingbirds.

The combination of clearly white tipped outer retricies and lack of any buffy or rufous coloration in either the tail or on the flanks effectively eliminated the Selasphorus and Stellula hummers except for a possible aberrant immature male Braod-tailed or Calliope which could show a rosy gorget patch. I believe Broad-tailed is eliminated by tail length as this species typically shows a tail which protrudes noticeably beyond the folded wings when perched. As for Calliope, the size and weight of this bird were clearly larger in direct comparison to the female/immature Calliopes present.

The Archilochus hummingbirds were eliminated on wing shape, and more specifically by primary feather proportion and shape in examination of photographs. This bird had noticeably tapered, or “saber” shaped wings when perched as compared to the curved, or “J-shaped” wings of the Black-chinneds present. Upon examination of photographs, it is apparent that the inner primaries of the bird in question are of similar width to its outer primaries which eliminates Archilochus as a genus for consideration.

Costa’s Hummingbird, which is known to wander, was eliminated initially on size and shape. This bird was noticeable larger and heavier billed than the Rufous and Calliopes present and slightly larger and more robust than the Black-chinned. Costa’s typically have a fine, and usually decurved, bill and a small compact “jizz” like that of a Calliope. The “dirty” throat and rosy gorget patch of this bird also pointed away from a female Costa’s which typically have a very clean white throat.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): I have seen numberous Anna's (Calypte anna) in California and southern Arizona.

I'm also familiar with Costa's (Calypte costae) in Arizona. As for the Selasphorus hummingbirds, Rufous (S. rufus) are very common in our area and I grew up with Broad-taileds (S. platycercus) in Colorado. Calliope (Stellula calliope) breeds in our neighborhood and is a very common migrant in Hayden. Black-chinned Hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) are uncommon migrants through our yard but we do get around 10 individuals per year. While the Anna's was here, we had 5 Calliopes, 10 Rufous and 3 Black-chinned for direct comparison - lots of fun!

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I've been birding seriously for 24 years and consider myself "advanced".

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photos -- The first 5 are the annas. I’ve also included single photos of three other species (Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous -- in that order) for comparison. These were all taken in late afternoon light on July 21st, 2007. Note that the gorget spot on the Anna’s is rosy in color in direct light. Please let me know if you have any questions or require further information.

ANNA'S

BLACK-CHINNED

CALLIOPE

RUFOUS