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Hummingbird ID Please

Discussion

3 replies
Posted by Sally King on January 17, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Hummingbird ID Please
This was a very large hummingbird photographed last week near Portal, Arizona. It kept hanging out in the deep shade so the shots are not nearly as good as I would like. I am leaning toward Blue-throated (heard they can be seen in that area) but not sure. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by Sally King on January 17, 2010 at 9:44 PM
A second slightly different view.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 18, 2010 at 2:36 AM
Yes, probably Blue-throated. Hard to think what else it might be if it was large (5"), with white in the tail and the strong eyebrow. Unless it's some Mexican vagrant...
Posted by Brian Gatlin on January 18, 2010 at 8:44 AM
Sally, the two expected large hummers are Magnificent and Blue-throated. You're correct in calling yours Blue-throated. The large white tail spots and the short bill are the best field marks, but the face pattern is rather different too.