English and Scientific names:

Broad-billed hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris)

Number of individuals: 

1, Second Year/Male

 

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

St. Tammany

Specific Locality:

Luscinda/Preston Landry residence:

949 Morgan Bluff Rd.,

Pearl River, LA  70452.

30 degrees 19' 29" N , 089 degrees 43' 32" W

Date(s) when observed:

Banded/observed 30 Jan 2004

 

 

Time(s) of day when observed:

1615 hours

 

Reporting observer and address:

 

                          Mark Myers

 

                         Jefferson, LA

 

Light conditions:

Mostly overcast day, but good light conditions while bird was in hand.

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

James Bell

 

                         Carriere, MS

 

Optical equipment: 

N/A. Bird in hand

Distance to bird(s): 

In hand

Duration of observation:

Approximately 10 minutes.

 

 

 

Habitat: 

Rural sub-division.  Large yard, mostly wooded in back where feeder and bird was located.  Understory was sparse, but trees were fairly dense. 

 

Behavior of bird: 

Upon entering yard, bird became very vocal and curious of our activities.  Approached feeder area as trap was being installed, and was resting/perched in sight for approximately 5 minutes before entering trap.

 

 

Description: 

A bird of this age/sex was not to be confused with any other N. American hummer.   Its large size, distinctly different voice, reddish base of lower mandible, blue gorget, and broad blue-black tail led to an easy identification. Measurements/notes taken in field: 

                 Wing:  50.35 mm

                 Tail:  31

       Exposed culmen:  21.23

               Gorget:  ~80-90% complete, but didn't appear as  uniform as that of an adult male.

        Bill grooving: present on ~70% of bill, indicative of imm.

               weight: 4.01 g

 

grayish belly distinctive of immature male as were the blackish/blue central rectrices with dusky-gray tips. Back primarily green, not contrasting with crown or nape. Notable small, white post-ocular spot present

 

(photographs submitted with report)                  

Voice:

Distinct, persistent, loud "chattering" call.  Seemed to be somewhat higher pitched than the call of Buff-bellied hummingbird.

 

Similar species:

Adult and imm. male Broad-billeds very distinctive, however some references (Howell, 2003) mention the possibility of confusion with Blue-throated hummingbird.  Based on size, color (of body, gorget, tail), and lack of white tips in rects, there was no confusion as to this bird's identity.

 

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Photographs taken by both Myers and Bell.  Myers' photos submitted with report.

Previous experience: 

No previous banding experience with species.  Have seen species in wild in s.e. Arizona. 

Identification aids: at time of observation:

 

Howell, S.N.G. (2003) Hummingbirds of North      

America: The Photographic Guide.  Princeton University Press.

 

Pyle, P. (1997) Identification Guide to North American Birds, Part 1. Slate Creek Press.

 

Williamson, S.L. (2001) Hummingbirds of North America. Peterson Field Guide Series.  Houghton Mifflin Co. 

 

Notes made during the observation 

yes

Notes made from memory

yes

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

 

Yes.  This is a distinctive species.  Immature and adult males, in particular, would be difficult to confuse with any other species of N. American hummingbird.

 

Reporter: 

Mark Myers

Date and time: 

10 February 2004