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Post by Tricia Mischler on Sept 28, 2014 9:42:20 GMT -5
We saw our first black-chinned hummingbird last night . It was visiting pentas in our yard as we were weeding. We live in Lake Worth Floroda
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Post by Steve Backes on Sept 28, 2014 10:27:19 GMT -5
Tricia,
Although possible, a Black-chinned Hummingbird in Florida this early in the winter season would be very unlikely. The Black-chinned is so close to the Ruby-throated that very detailed looks at one feather would be needed to positively identify a female or young bird. The tip of the outer most wing feather is broad and blunt on a Black-chinned while the tip of the Ruby-throated's feather tapers to a narrow point. The other features we look for when distinguishing between these species - grayish head, bill size and shape, and tail pumping - may all over lap between the two species.
Adult male Black-chinneds are positively identified when the purple band is seen along the lower edge of the black gorget (throat). The red gorget of the adult Ruby-throated will appear black in the absence of light reflecting at the proper angle toward the observer.
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