The rufous hummingbird continues to visit feeders at the home of Ginny
Freeman on Flamstead Road in Chester 802-875-2750. Ginny has been most
gracious, welcoming birders into her home from where the feeders can be seen
at very close range.
Though it has been initially ID'd as a female, there is a possibility it
is an immature male. At least two visitors have taken digital photos which
will be examined for a more definitive determination. While definitive
separation of female rufous and Allen's rests heavily upon the shape of the
#2 rectrix (tail feather) - rufous is emarginated at the tip - a combination
of other characteristics including the width and shape of other tail
feathers, leave little doubt that this is in fact a rufous. Furthermore,
there is only one confirmed New England record of Allen's while rufous is an
annual widespread vagrant in the east) This would be the 8th accepted record
for rufous here in Vermont since 1991.
There is an excellent web site that maps vagrancy in hummingbirds as
well as providing many links to other hummingbird sites:
http://www.geocities.com/trochilids/.
Wayne Scott
Compiler, VT Rare Bird Alert
416 Hanover Center Road
Etna, NH 03750
(603) 643-0179
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