Voting Comments
Record #: 2-B-96
Costa's Hummingbird
1st Round: 0-7
NOT ACCEPT
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1st Round |
| 08-12-2007. Sturts -- Reject, specific identification not established I first saw this bird with Jim Acton. Our first impression was Costa's; the crown and throat were purple and the gorget appeared long. However, as we continued to view the bird Jim mentioned the size was too large for a Costa's. More experts were called in both in person and via email with mixed and varied opinions. I am rejecting the identification of this being pure Costa's based on the evaluation of the experts; both those submitting 1st hand reports and those evaluating the photographs and documentation. |
| 8/17/07. Cliff Weisse -- Reject, specific identification not established This is an interesting bird that I'm not sure can be identified to species based on the information submitted for review. In light of the apparent large size, aberrant gorget color (assessed in photos and, more importantly, from written description(s) by multiple observers, especially the direct comparison with other species present), lack of tail pumping behavior, projection of tail beyond wings, I'm not comfortable accepting this individual as a Costa's Hummingbird, even considering that there is now another accepted record for Costa's in the state. I feel there is a very real possibility that this is a hybrid between Anna's and Costa's or that a hybrid can't be ruled out. |
| 22 August 2007. Hardy -- Reject, specific identification not established I am not able to vote to accept this bird as either a Costa's or an Anna's. I think there is a good possibility that it is a ANHU X COHU hybrid, but it is a possibility, not a certainty. Several points which I was able to note firsthand by study of the photographs in comparison with the field guides are: 1) the elongated gorget feathers are consistent with Costa's 2) the wingtips did not reach the tail, and looked intermediate between illustrations of Costa's and Anna's 3) the white upper breast is not consistent with Anna's 4) the forehead slope is consistent with Anna's Additional points noted by observers and the experts are size and behavior, which also suggest conflicting identifications. Stacy pointed out another fieldmark of COHU in general, that is, their "frumpiness". I was much struck by the frumpy COHU in Farrand, which the mystery bird is devoid of. I agree with Stacy's summation that this is a Calypte species, and that is all that can be stated with certainty based on the material we have. |
| 09-01-2007. Dave Trochlell -- Reject, specific identification not established I reviewed this record many years ago, and then, as now, believe this bird was a Costa's X Anna's Hummingbird. Just from what I could observe from the photos, this male hummer seemed intermediate when one carefully notes the bird's head and gorget color, head and gorget shape, neck and chest color, and wing/tail ratio. It was also more than a little reassuring to me that bird identification luminaries like Rich Stallcup and Sheri Williamson supported this same conclusion. |
| 9-2-07. Carlisle -- Reject, specific identification not established To my eye, photos suggest a hybrid between Anna's and Costa's (wing not extending past tail, the lack of an obvious white eyebrow or white cheek patch, and and apparent size being the key issues). Thus, I don't think we can accept this as a pure Costa's (or any species for that matter) with any level of certainty. |
| 09-06-2007. chuck trost -- Reject, specific identification not established This was a very educational read. I thank Stacy for doing such a thorough job of checking with experts. I'm not convinced that this bird was not a hybrid. and even if not, there were critical field marks/behaviors not mentioned. |
| 02/11/2008. Darren Clark -- Reject, specific identification not established This is a tough one. Since there are so many conflicted opinions from people far more experienced with hummingbird identification than me, I'm hesitant to accept such a bird as a first state record. Therefore I reject the record. |