Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2002-39
| Common name: |
Anna's Hummingbird |
| Scientific name: | Calypte anna |
| Date: | 05-02-02 |
| Time: | 1700 |
| Length of time observed: | off and on for 2 hours |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | male |
| Location: | Canyon Ridge Sub-division, Hurricane |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 19 |
| Elevation: | ~900 |
| Distance to bird: | 3-5 m |
| Optical equipment: | 10 x 42 binoculars |
| Weather: | clear, slight wind |
| Light Conditions: | good |
| Detailed description of bird: | Relatively large and stocky hummingbird with bright red head (crown and throat). Straight black bill, noticeably shorter than that of nearby Black-chinned Hummingbird. Small white patch above and behind eye, extending down and back, separating red throat from crown. Back, rump and uppertail coverts bright iridescent green. Upper wings dark gray, underwings light grey. Underparts mottled green and white, bright green sides and flanks. White undertail coverts. Black tail. [see photo] |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Very vocal. Distinct sqeaky, buzzy call. |
| Behavior: | Feeding and defending feeder from other hummingbirds. Dominant and very aggressive towards Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Although it occasionally used open perches, it often perched deep within nearby Ash tree. |
| Habitat: | Residential hummingbird feeder. |
| Similar
species and how were they eliminated: |
Bright red throat and crown distinguishes adult male Anna's Hummingbird from other species. |
| Previous experience with this & similar species: | Observed Anna's Hummingbirds many times. Very familiar with regular Utah Hummingbirds visiting feeders (Black-chinned, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Costa's). |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Rick Fridell |
| Observer's address: | 3505 West 290 North, Hurricane, UT 84737 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | rfridell@redrock.net |
| Other
observers who independently identified this bird: |
Kristen Comella |
| Date prepared: | 11-20-02 (General Public) |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: | This is the second Anna's Hummingbird we have seen in our backyard. The first was also an adult male on 04-20-99. |