English and Scientific names:

Anna's hummingbird  (Calypte anna)

Number of individuals: 

1, female, adult plumage

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

East Baton Rouge Parish

Specific Locality:

1967 Tulip Street; Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Date(s) when observed:

FO date = December 14, 2007; LO date = 1/6/2008

Time(s) of day when observed:  

The bird was observed daily at my feeders
during her brief stay.  She could be found perching in the yard when not
feeding. 

Reporting observer and address:

Jeffrey W. Harris

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

I misidentified the bird.  But I had photographed her and had
sent the photos to Nancy Newfield, who declared that it was likely an Anna's before she ever saw the bird.

Other observers accompanying reporter who independently identified the bird(s):

Nancy Newfield, Kevin Morgan and Steve (I don't recall his last name, but he regularly helps Nancy band hummers) helped identify the bird.  Laurie Binford also got a look at her.

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

varied, but generally good lighting conditions (i.e.
sunny)

Optical equipment: 

8 x 42 Alpen binoculars; good condition

Distance to bird(s): 

minimal distance 6-8 feet

Duration of observation:

several minutes for each visit to feeders, but I had unlimited access to the bird during her 3 week stay.

Habitat: 

suburban/urban yard with some dense plant cover available

Behavior of bird: 

NA - ID was secured by Nancy Newfield from my photos
and by directly observing the bird in hand.

Description:

A largish hummingbird with grayish vest, white belly, and
a salmon-to-rose central spot on gorget.  The back was greenish, and the tail lacked rufous color.

Voice:

The constant vocalizations ("ticks" or "chip

Similar species:

Rufous hummingbird

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Yes, I have submitted 3 photos and 1
digital movie that has her voice.

Previous experience with this species: 

I had seen many males (but only a few females) of
this species in Phoenix, Arizona during January 2007.

Identification aids:

ID aids at time of observation: none

ID aids after observation:  Nancy Newfield and Sheri Williamson's book
(Peterson's Guide to North American Hummingbirds)

This description is written from: 

My current description comes from notes that were written
in a bird journal at the first observation, and from re-examination with field guides.  Initially, I had written that although I thought the bird was a rufous female, that the lack of rufous on the sides and in the retrices was atypical.

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes.  Nancy Newfield identified the bird in hand.

Reporter: 

Jeffrey W. Harris;

Date and time: 

January 28, 2008; 6:00 PM