Hummingbird in Parsonsburg, MD

Elizabeth Fleming

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Dec 8, 2019, 9:17:57 AM12/8/19

to Maryland & DC Birding

This little hummingbird is still visiting my window feeder with 3-1 mixture in December. This morning it’s 25° and I saw it 3 times in less than an hour! Thankfully...by accident...I hung the feeder on a front window just above a floor heat vent in my living room! It doesn’t freeze but the feeder in the middle of my backyard is froze solid until the sun will thaw it out later.
I’ve been told it might be a rare bird for this area.
Please email me if you’d like to view. I live just outside of Salisbury, MD
Betty Jo Fleming
ef2...@gmail.com

06B89D5E-C300-4A33-8258-B653E568D874.jpeg

Jack Saba

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Dec 10, 2019, 8:37:35 AM12/10/19

to Elizabeth Fleming, Maryland & DC Birding

Elizabeth,

I'm not an expert on hummingbirds by far, but since no one else seems to
be responding, here's a guess.

Based on the brownish color on the chest and sides and the portion of
the lower back that is visible, along with the stippling on the throat,
it's probably an Allen's or Rufous Hummingbird. I believe these two
species are the commonest winter strays in our area.

Allen's would be ruled out if the back is entirely or almost entirely
brownish. Otherwise, closeup pictures of the spread tail may be the only
way to distinguish the two.

I'm basing this entirely on information from field guides. I've seen
Allen's a few times in California, but have never seen a Rufous.

Jack Saba
Berwyn Heights Md

Les Eastman

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Dec 10, 2019, 11:24:02 AM12/10/19

to Elizabeth Fleming, Maryland & DC Birding, Bruce G Peterjohn

I think the bird could be a immature male Rufous Hummingbird. If the
bird is still around and you do not object to it being banded, contact
Bruce Peterjohn. He will confirm the species. I have included him in
this message.

Les

===========
Les Eastman
mailto:l...@birdtreks.com
Fountain Hills, AZ

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what *it* was.
Now what I'm with isn't *it*, and what's *it* seems weird
and scary to me. It'll happen to you..."
Grandpa Simpson

Kurt Schwarz

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Dec 10, 2019, 3:27:31 PM12/10/19

to l...@birdtreks.com, Bruce G Peterjohn, Elizabeth Fleming, Maryland & DC Birding

I forwarded to Bruce several days ago.

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