Grants Pass - 2019's "Costa's Hummingbird"

[Alex Lamoreaux]

Happy 2021 RV Birders! I hope you're all doing well in the New Year!

I just wanted to drop a quick note on some feedback I received from Sheri Williamson (the country's top hummingbird expert) concerning the male Costa's Hummingbird that was present at a private feeder in Grants Pass back in the fall of 2019. It turns out this was in fact a hybrid Anna's x Costa's Hummingbird based on the very short greater secondary coverts; long tail; intermediate gorget shape and color; robust, straight bill. Excellent photos taken by multiple birders helped Sheri come to this conclusion. I've contacted those who eBirded this sighting as Costa's to edit their entries to the hybrid option, but also wanted the local birding community at large to know of this change in identification. It seems we have a sweet spot in the Rogue Valley for interesting hummingbird hybrids!

Thanks, -Alex

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Alex Lamoreaux

717-943-7086

Senior Leader/North America Specialist for Wildside Nature Tours
https://wildsidenaturetours.com/team-member/alex-lamoreaux/