IBRC 51-B-09

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
HOW MANY: 1, AHY Male

REPORTER: Fred Zeillemaker 33495 Third Fork Rd, PO Box 47 Ola, ID 83657 208.870.8277
REPORTER EMAIL: xylemacres@hughes.net
OTHER OBSERVERS: Melly Zeillemaker.

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 10/01/09     DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 8/20/09 and 8/21/09
LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: 33495 Third Fork road, 11.4 miles north of Ola, Gem County
HABITAT: Black Cottonwood riparian strip @ yard edge
CONDITIONS: A few seconds to several seconds @ three feet or less on multiple occasions near and @ feeder on first date. Once for a few seconds on second date. Weather calm, sunny, 90-95 degrees F. Minolta 10x42 binocular and 18x Olympus digital camera used for viewing. Dappled sun over left shoulders of observers.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: No, not at
all DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, during the observation
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: David A. Sibley's The Sibley ("Big") Guide to Birds 2000; Sheri L. Williamson's Hummingbirds of North America 2001; Steve N. G. Howell's Hummingbirds of North America The Photographic Guide 2003.

DESCRIPTION: Family: Trochilidae. See attached photographs!
BEHAVIOR: Feeding: sugar water in hummingbird feeder, Vocalizations: chipping. Chased all other hummers (BCHU, CAHU & RUHU) from feeder area.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? Between multiple observations & photographs: medium length straitish black bill, black chin, ruby-red gorget, dark face, white post-ocular spot, long deeply notched tail, tapered primary wing feather shape, no wing trill during flight.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? >From Broad-tailed by chin & gorget colors, tail shape & color, lack of modified wing tips (that produce trill in flight).

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): Many previously observed in eastern US. Anna's, Black-chinned, Calliope, Broad-tailed and Rufous have all been previously studied & photographed @ observation site.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Reporting observer has birded since 1958. Served on National Wildlife Refuges 1964-1995. Level of expertise considered excellent.

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