March 28, 2024
ON THE WING

Likely rufous hummingbird makes rare visit

Continuing with last week’s theme of rarities during migration and vicarious birding, I’d like to mention a very special sighting of a probable rufous hummingbird.

Actually, it was more than just a sighting; this hummingbird first appeared at Dot Haggan’s house in Phillips on Sept. 25 and left – involuntarily – on Nov. 2.

During this time, Dot graciously opened her home to birders eager to see the unusual visitor. She estimates between 15 and 20 people came to her house, some from as far away as New Hampshire, and she even received a phone call from someone in Massachusetts.

“It’s been quite an exciting time for us. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen one,” Dot said, adding that the entire experience was enjoyable and rewarding. “Other birders shared their experiences with me, and I learned a lot.”

The rufous hummingbird is a western bird, breeding in northwestern North America, from Alaska, through Alberta and British Columbia, and down to northern California. Its wintering range extends from southern California, down to Central America, and along the Gulf Coast to Florida.

Although its presence here was unusual, it wasn’t completely unheard of. Sightings of them in the East have increased over the years, but ornithologists aren’t exactly sure why. According to “The Birds of North America,” this may be the result of a new population trend or simply savvier birders and a proliferation of artificial hummingbird feeders.

Dot first took photographs of the hummingbird – which she thought might be a female rufous hummingbird – through her kitchen window as the bird sipped from the feeder hanging there. She then forwarded them to expert Audubon birder Bill Sheehan. He in turn forwarded the photos to other expert Maine birders, who studied them carefully.

Rufous hummingbirds can be confused with another hummingbird known as Allen’s hummingbird. However, an Allen’s hummingbird would still be a rare sighting as this species is also a western breeder, occupying a very small range on the West Coast.

The two are closely related and are considered to be a “superspecies,” (simply put, they have a relatively recent common ancestor on the taxonomic tree).

In the meantime, “Rusty,” as Dot had nicknamed her, put on a show for her admirers.

“She would feed about every 15 minutes. Between feedings she could be observed defending her territory from the thrushes, warblers, and chickadees who came to the seed feeders or to eat berries from the mountain ash tree.”

The weather turned cold and nasty toward the end of October, but Rusty showed no inclination to leave. The decision was made on Nov. 2 to capture her and transport her to Avian Haven, a bird rehabilitation center in Freedom. From there she will be taken to Delaware to be released.

A definitive identification between a rufous or Allen’s hummingbird is anticipated from Louis Bevier of Colby College, who is an expert on western birds. If it is a rufous, it will only be the third confirmed sighting in Maine, and a northernmost record for the state, according to Sheehan.

Photos of “Rusty,” as well as other out-of-range hummingbirds sighted in the Northeast, can be found on the New England Hummers Web site at: http://www.nehummers.com/NEHummSelas2006.htm.

BDN bird columnist Chris Corio can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net


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