Gene Hunn writes:

A most interesting argument. I admit I dashed up to Gibson's and certainly
enjoyed the view, never having seen it in Mexico. I've served on the
Washington "Bird Records Committee" [we do consider records other than
rarities, occasionally], so I can appreciate that perspective. I agree with
Michael that we will probably never know for sure, but then again we live in
an uncertain world. I'd have been satisfied with a preponderance of the
evidence rather than "beyond a reasonable doubt." Personally, I lean toward
natural origin. First, though Xantus' Hummers are not migratory, the Rufous
Hummer, which is, of course, routinely makes a much longer trip, having been
noted zipping past a climbing party at 17,000 feet on Mt. Logan on it's way
north from southern Mexico. So, the little bugger could have made the trip
if he/she had been so inclined. One question I'm still uncertain about.
Since the bird did not molt into an adult male plumage by summer, I presume
it was a female. If so, I guess we can't be sure if it was an adult or a
hatching year bird. However, if it were a hatching year bird it would be
less likely to have been held in captivity, at least for more than a very
short time in transit.

As for the role of hurricanes. Clearly it didn't ride hurricane storm winds
the whole distance. No one suggested that it did. Nor is it likely to have
been blown out to sea by the hurricane, as they passed from the Pacific
across Baja in a generally northeasterly direction. What might have happened
is that the force of the storm was sufficient to displace it beyond it's
normal range and so disoriented that, perhaps, it followed a passing Rufous
Hummer right to Gibson! Seems as likely as any other scenario that's been
offered.

As for precedents, what of the Vancouver Painted Redstart record. Another
essentially sedentary northern Mexican bird. As for its staying around,
there are plenty of precedents for vagrants of undisputed wild origin taming
down and staying, sometimes for years, even nesting locally, such as Ross'
Geese in coastal central California and the albatross in England.

Still, I must admit, it remains a mystery to me. In the final analysis it
really doesn't much matter, now, does it? Not to the bird, at least.