Our hummer flock has mostly moved on. We’re down to one feeder that only got a half batch yesterday, after they finished off second 25# bag of sugar. There’s still action, but muted, surprising number are Rufous. Haven’t heard Sandhills for a while. Guess they moved on to migration staging area somewhere else. Found a nice family of Ruffed Grouse yesterday with many chicks.

Past couple of days have seen mainly juvenile Rufous & Calliope Hummingbirds push through. No Black-chinneds for a few days. As many Hummers hit the petunia baskets as go to the nectar feeder. Today, both are still coming through. 

 

Interestingly, the most common birds today are Gray Catbirds. Pushing through the lilacs & willows. Black-headed Grosbeaks appear to be down to a handful of juveniles going to sunflower seeds. 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot 

These on. Lynwood n.of big foot big pond other birds 2 ibis 2 spotted 

There is also the possibility that it could be a female or immature Anna’s hummingbird, as they show less dark in the lores, and a less conspicuous postocular spot. 

Eric

Thanks for your input. I have also come to the conclusion that it was an immature black-chinned as well. We were able to locate one photo similar to mine on the internet and it was labeled as an immature BC.

Ok, one more response. Think your hummingbird may, indeed, be female, as you noted, & a Black-chinned. Couldn’t get a photo, & the eye patch wasn’t as black as on yours. However, this evening I had a definite female BC arrive at the feeder with quite dark, not fully black & not as triangular, patches around both eyes. Perhaps, yours had a melanistic trait causing the increased markings around the eyes. 

 

In any case, it’s been interesting researching possibilities for your bird. Glad you posted. Have enjoyed pondering the possibilities!

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot 

Very interesting. If it’s indeed a native hummingbird (& not some non-native escape from somewhere), my best guess is a juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbird. Based on size, coloring description & looks like it has a longer bill. The confusion is, indeed, from the triangular black eye patch. Possibly, it’s a male juvenile & just getting its black feathering around the eyes. I may be way off base, but best I can come up with. 

 

Here in SE ID along the Snake, only hummingbirds I’ve seen since last Fri are all Black-chinneds: adults & juveniles, males & females of both. None quite like yours, however. Thanks for sharing! 

 

Brian Carrigan 

Blackfoot 

We had this female hummingbird visit our fuchsia plant today. I apologize for the horrible photos taken with my cell phone, zoomed in through the window. The bird was large for a hummingbird. No signs of rust anywhere. All green back. Very white under the throat. The bird had a very distinct black eye patch in a triangular shape with white above the eye. Our hummingbirds have headed south a couple of weeks ago with an occasional blackchin straggler so not really sure what kind of hummingbird this is. Thanks for any help in identification. 

 

Linda Lamb

Priest River, ID