Interesting Mystery Hummingbird at Ash Canyon B&B, SE Arizona
written by Alex Lamoreaux
Today while watching hummingbirds (and a ton of other great non-hummingbird birds), Anna spotted an interesting hummingbird coming in to the feeders, usually with a male Broad-billed Hummingbird. This weird hummer was about the same size as a Broad-billed and had a similar bill length. However, this bird had a very dark, black throat/gorget. The black coloration continued down through the breast and belly, unlike the iridescent blue on a typical male Broad-billed. Also unlike a Broad-billed, this mystery hummer only had an orange-ish/red lower mandible, rather than both the upper and lower. What could this be? Probably a hybrid, but what were it's parents?...Broad-billed X Berylline? Broad-billed X Magnificent? Let me know your thoughts? Unfortunately, I was unable to get any shots of it in flight, but I think the photos below show it's markings well. Many more photos (taken by Anna) can be seen at this link.
Mystery Hummingbird Hybrid - 7/30/11 at Ash Canyon B&B
Mystery Hummer (on left) with a Broad-billed Hummingbird (male) - 7/30/11 at Ash Canyon B&B
Think cool
written by Drew Weber
As the heat wave continues to roll across the country I thought I would dig up some cooler bird photos to share to maybe take the edge off.
Dark-eyed Junco in snowstorm at Blue Marsh Lake
Great Blue Heron at Moselem Springs Golf Course pond
More hummingbirds
written by Drew Weber
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have really increased at our feeder recently, presumably due to the fact that young have fledged and can now feed on their own. All the hummers that I have seen recently have been either adult females or immatures; the last adult male I remember seeing was back in May. Activity should only increase further as the birds begin to think about southbound migration.
Cibola NWR – 7/27/11
written by Alex Lamoreaux
This morning, Anna and I conducted Yellow-billed Cuckoo surveys throughout the Cornfield Nature Trail area at Cibola NWR. We were able to find 51 species of birds, one of which would have been a new state bird for both of us, but only Anna saw it; an adult Osprey. Other highlights included an immature White-tailed Kite that was perched with a bunch of doves on the powerlines and a nice assortment of shorebirds that were feeding alongside the Cattle Egrets, White-faced Ibis, Great Egrets, and Snowy Egret in some flooded fields. The shorebird mix included Wilson's Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Curlew, Least Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and Killdeer. Below are a few photos I took this morning while walking around.
White-tailed Kite (immature; note buffy wash on throat and back) and Mourning Doves
White-tailed Kite (immature; note buffy wash on throat and back)
Western Kingbird
Black-headed Grosbeak - male
Blue Grosbeak - subadult male
Wilson's Phalarope
Snowy Egret
Our favorite apps
birding shirts
Authors
