I have posted 3 photos that I took today (with Jim Stasz's camera, thanks Jim!) of the hummingbird here:


http://picasaweb.google.com/hafner.matt/CollegeParkSelasphorus#


There are 3 original photos (no processing) and a cropped version of one of the photos.  The central tail feathers on the bird are green, indicating female, and the diamond-shaped gorget pattern is typically associated with adult birds.  


On these spread tail photos, R2 on the left (the bird's right), is clearly indented or "notched" as it is called in most books.  This is stated to be diagnostic for Rufous Hummingbird.  It is interesting though, that this notch is minimal on the opposite R2.  From what I have read, and is my experience, I still believe that even one notched R2 is likely too many for Allen's Hummingbird.  Hopefully, we'll have some measurements confirmations at the end of the week with a successful banding of the bird.  


Great bird and thanks to Rick for being such a gracious host!


Matt Hafner
Forest Hill, MD





-----Original Message-----
From: James Tyler Bell <>
To: 
Sent: Tue, Nov 23, 2010 12:00 pm
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Fw: [MDOSPREY] College Park Selasphorus continues NOV 23


I don't believe that a concensus can be reached on species until A) a clear 
spread-tailed photo is obtained, or B) the bird is captured, banded and 
measured. Don't forget the lesson of the first Maryland record of Anna's 
Hummingbird which was dismissed as a late Ruby-throated Hummingbird and got lost 

in the shuffle when the first Calliope Hummingbird showed up in Laurel! 
Selasphorus until proven otherwise.
 
Tyler Bell

California, Maryland 



----- Original Message ----
From: diane Ford <>
To: 
Sent: Tue, November 23, 2010 11:54:34 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Fw: [MDOSPREY] College Park Selasphorus continues NOV 23

Hi all,
  This morning shortly after 10am myself, and others were viewing the 
hummingbird at the feeder. The consensus is that it is a female Rufous....
It showed itself again at one of the two feeders shortly after 11:15 when I 
left.
Many thanks to Rick for his hospitality!!
 
Diane Ford, Bethesda (getting close to #300 in Md. two more species to go!)

--- On Tue, 11/23/10, Rick Borchelt <> wrote:


From: Rick Borchelt <>
Subject: [MDOSPREY] College Park Selasphorus continues NOV 23
To: 
Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 8:46 AM


Several sightings already this morning, providing good views perched and 
feeding.

Rick Borchelt
4602 Drexel Road
Rborchelt | AT | gmail | DOT COM