RE:Re: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

["Rick Fridell" <rfridell at burgoyne dot com>]

Hello Richard,

Larry and I questioned the bird repeatedly but he mostly ignored us.

You really do bring up an excellent point.  This is a very rare species in
the west and differentiation from the similar Black-chinned Hummingbird can
be very difficult.  It is absolutely valid, and even necessary, to question
the identification of such a rarely reported species.  We certainly
did....Larry and I studied the bird extensively and concentrated on seeing
and photographing key diagnostic features (coloration, tail size and shape,
bill length, overall wing shape, shape and size of primaries 9 and 10, shape
of the outer web of P9 and P10, etc.). So we are convinced of the id,
however until others can review our descriptions and photographs, we
probably should refer to the bird as a "probable" or "possible" (or if you
prefer, an "alleged") Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  We sent several photos to
Milton, hoping he might be able to post them on the Utah Birds website.  We
have dozens of additional photos and a few mini video clips of the
hummingbird as well.  As you know, identifying some birds can be very
challenging, and there is certainly the possibility that we are wrong on
this one.  So once the bird has moved on, we will submit descriptions,
photos, etc. to the records committee and other experts for their review.
Meanwhile, for those that would like to question this bird in person, the
good news is it is still present, and Larry has graciously invited
interested birders to email him and arrange to view the bird (but if you're
thinking about it, I'd recommend hurrying).

Best Regards,

Rick Fridell
Hurricane, UT

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-birdnet@utahbirds.org [mailto:owner-birdnet@utahbirds.org]On
Behalf Of Richard Wood
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 10:23 AM
To: birdnet@utahbirds.org
Subject: [SPAM]Re: Ruby-throated Hummingbird


I want to know why no one is questioning this bird's identification, since
it's rare in Utah.


Richard

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Avery" <tanager@timaverybirding.com>
To: <birdnet@utahbirds.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 11:14 AM
Subject: Ruby-throated Hummingbird


> If I am not mistaken this will be  a first state record record? (please
> correct
> me if I am wrong)  Great Find Larry!
>
> Good Birding
>
> Tim
>
> Salt Lake City, UT and Southwest, WY
> http://www.timaverybirding.com
>
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