Skip,

Very interesting. But there are no Rufous nesting say at Crescent City,
CA? Perhaps they compete too directly and are interspecifically
territorial? Sapsuckers tend to replace over a very narrow zone of
contact also (but with considerable hybridization).

Gene Hunn.

On Thu, 23 Feb 1995 Skip_Russell at intersolv.com wrote:

> Subject: Re: re:Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds
>
> >Actually, Rufous is a very rare breeder in California, I understand, with
> .....
> >Does its breeding range overlap that of Allen's?
>
> I've watched hummers in SW OR in the Spring on many occasions and this
> is something I have often wondered myself. FWIW there are times even
> late in the spring that one can count on seeing individuals of both
> species side by side, just about anywhere in coastal Curry County north
> of Brookings. For example, both species put on a great show at
> Lighthouse Park in Port Orford, though Allen's seem harder to find there
> after about the end of April. Field ID is easy on the basis of the
> display flights of males. More than once I've seen a Rufous and an
> Allen's displaying for different females in the same bush!
>
> I've been told by a woman in Gold Beach (central Curry Co) that both
> species are present at her feeders all summer. It doesn't prove
> sympatry of course (? about ID, dispersal, etc.), but it does lend some
> evidence.
>
> Skip
>
> --
> Skip_Russell at intersolv.com Voice: 503-690-4214
> Beaverton, Oregon FAX: 503-629-9637
>
>