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Bob Moul | profile | all galleries >> STRAYS, ABERRANTS AND ODDITIES >> ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD | OREGON JUNCO | WESTERN GREBE | WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS | RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD | WHITE IBIS-IMMATURE | SANDHILL CRANE | COMMON REDPOLLS | BULLOCK'S ORIOLE | LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE | SCOTT'S ORIOLE | HUDSONIAN GODWIT | PURPLE GALLINULE | BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK | LARK SPARROW | NORTHERN LAPWING | VARIED THRUSH | SNOWY OWL | ABERRANT HOUSE FINCH | LEUCISTIC RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD | LEUCISTIC RED-TAILED HAWK | LEUCISTIC KILLDEER | LEUCISTIC WHITE-TAILED DEER

ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD

Selasphorus sasin

L 3.75" WS 4.25" WT .11oz (3g)

PA STATE RECORD FIRST SIGHTING

Santa came a bit early in Pennsylvania this year. On December 12, 2009, Scott Weidensaul banded an Allen's Humingbird
in Leola, PA. Some may say, so...? So, the species has never before been reported in the state. It is a native
of the Pacific coast and to find one in the Northeast is indeed a rarity.

Ironically, the hostess of this tiny gem faithfully kept nectar readily accessible since its arrival back in August
thinking it was the very similar Rufous Hummingbird. That assumption is readily understandable considering the one
field mark that conclusively separates the two is the size of one or two of the tail feathers as seen in the photo below.

A string of rainy, cloudy days since the discovery created quite a challenge for photographers attempting to document
the event, and to birders hoping to get a glimpse of the backyard denizen as it flew to the feeder for a few
seconds then away in a flash, to some unknown perch nearby. In retrospect though, it was very cooperative with
its periodic, albeit short appearances, sending everyone home with the satisfaction of adding this
beautiful bird to their life list.

My thanks to Scott for allowing me to post the bottom three close up photos taken the day of the banding.
Note the comparison of feather sizes in the middle photo.

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Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
Allen's Hummingbird-Female
g3/48/95248/3/120293435.NgA2oNY8.jpg g3/48/95248/3/120293446.5ZUczeC4.jpg g3/48/95248/3/120293447.G2htRWzv.jpg
© Scott Weidensaul

© Scott Weidensaul

Explanation of feathers © Scott Weidensaul
Explanation of feathers

© Scott Weidensaul

© Scott Weidensaul

© Scott Weidensaul