Subject: Likely BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD in Yakima
Date: Jul 22 22:43:33 2003
From: Scott G. Downes - downess at cwu.EDU


Hi all.
I saw what I'm fairly sure was a very brief view of a male Broad-tailed
Hummingbird at my girlfriend's place in Yakima this evening while we
were eating dinner. We were on the patio and fairly close to the
hummingbird feeder (8-10 feet away) when a bird flew in accross the
backyard. I'm looking towards the west here but the backyard is heavily
shaded so there is no glare. It was at 7:45 pm. I watched until dark but
the bird did not return to the feeder.
Here are my notes written a few minutes afterwards, I welcome input and
comments. I should note that I have seen numerous Broad-tails in New
Mexico and Arizona.
Notes:
Looking west a male hummer looking squat in shape, typical of a
selasphorus hummingbird approached the feeder hanging about 8 feet from
the table. The bird never sat on the feeder but hovered next to it for a
second or two. Flying in the bird was pale green with slight amount of
buff on the lower breast and belly. The bird turned its head to reveal a
very bright red gorget, almost ruby in color, below this was a
contrasting whitish area lower in the throat. The bright gorget was
solid, fully occupying the gorget region and contained no speckling or
streaks. I was wondering to the birds identity at this point when the
bird turned around to show a bright "lawn green" back with no hint of
rufous on the back at all. It then flew away to the west, I only got a
glance at the tail, but the tail shape didnt seem pointed like our
regular male selasphorus hummer would have and no apparent rufous on the
tail, in the brief view all this means is that it was the tail feathers
were not readily apparent to be pointed or there was not mich rufous in
the tail (either one would have caught my eye, even in such a brief
view). Unfortunately cannot comment to the size of the tail and if it
had any rufous at all, but based on my view felt that there was no
chance of this being a male rufous or allen's.
Total viewing time was very brief probably only about 10 seconds.
So... I feel confident based on what I did see to rule out the other two
adult male (which this was) selasphorus hummers, rufous and allens. The
shape and gorget color (possibly the buffy and green breast flanks, but
black-chinned can be variable in this) to me rule out adult male
Black-chinned Hummingbird.
I am having my girlfriend keep an eye out tomorrow eveing if this bird
returns (I will not be able to be here) and will try to notify others
and/or see if myself better at this time. The residence is in the 200
block of North 18th st just north of Summitview if people are
interested. If the bird comes back and is showing some regularity people
could come, at this time this doesnt seem to be needed as it could be in
the general area but not here.


Scott Downes
downess at cwu.edu
Ellensburg/Yakima WA