Thursday, March 20, 2014

Mystery Hummingbird ?

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 20, 2014

Joe and I both woke up today with sore throats so a hike we had planned was postponed...maybe tomorrow? So instead, we decided to take a ride out to Madera Canyon. Its about a 45 minute ride (from Tucson) down I 19 south towards Nogales. We took exit 63 and followed the brown signs.




We did park at the visitor center and took the 1.7 mile nature walk.



This is the mystery hummingbird...I have looked and looked.




The common spring hummingbirds for the area are Broad-billed, Magnificent, Anna's and Broad-tailed. I studied all of them and couldn't make a match.




Any suggestions?









After our walk, we continued in Pearl to the end of the road...about 2 miles. There are several hikes we are interested in so the plan is a return trip.



Our pups were glad to see us...


Happy Friday! Until next time, take care and...

 
enjoy!

26 comments:

  1. What great shots you got of that mystery hummingbird. I have no idea what kind it is but you sure did a great job capturing it. Love the flowers too!

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  2. My plan is to hone my AZ hummingbird ID skills next winter. I'm happy you've shown visits to several of the places I plan to see then. ;)

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    1. Hey Judy.....I am going to look again. I figured this is a female and most of the pictures you see are the males. It's beautiful here. Madera Canyon is a place I sure Joe and I can revisit.

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  3. Really excellent pictures of this mystery bird, good luck with the ID thing, sorry can't help you.

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  4. Hope you are feeling better:) Don't want to miss a hike!

    Hopefully, someone will know who your mystery bird is! You sure got great photos for the identification.

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    1. Good morning Pam....I never thought about the pollen and allergies associated with the desert before. Looks like we can't escape the stuffy noses which I am sure caused the sore throat.

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  5. Gorgeous hummer--have no idea about its identity. What a great hike; it looks as if everything's in bloom.

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  6. Your hummer could be a Buff-bellied...but I'm no expert! Just resembles a picture in my Audubon Guide app. Here are some online pictures, https://www.google.com/search?q=buff-bellied&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=jocsU5uRJcO32wX1l4GIBQ&ved=0CEIQ7Ak&biw=1242&bih=585

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    1. Thank you Linda. I will certainly check out the Buff-bellied hummingbird. I never knew there were so many different kinds of these little guys.

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  7. Beautiful photos! My guess is it's a Broad-billed... reddish bill, white undertail... but that's just a guess. Hope you get some more shots.

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    1. Thank you Sharon...I was going to check out the female Broad-billed a little more closely. This is all new to me and so much fun!

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  8. What a sweet photo of Jack. He's looking at Joe so lovingly.

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  9. Gay, great shots of this little hummer! I looked through my books and I think it might be a Broad-Billed! The color of the bill, the thin-white post ocular stripe behind the eye, the green color and the square to slightly notched dark tail with white-tipped outer tail feathers just might point to Broad-Billed. Hummers are HARD to Id sometimes, especially a female. You should try and post a photo on WhatBird and see what answers you get back. Wonderful find and shots!!!

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    1. Good morning Sheila. That's a lot of detail. Is there a "first" book you would suggest for me to purchase? So far I have done all my identifying on the internet using www.allaboutbirds.com.

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    2. I have several birding books. I have a very old National Geographic that I love and have had for years, but it does not have the detail sometimes needed. I also have a Smithsonian, a Stokes and a few others. I would say, visit a book store, look through them and see which ones you like. I like the Smithsonian for its detail. Good luck! Fun times ahead! So happy for you.

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    3. Thank you Sheila...hope I get to a book store this week!

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  10. Under behavior it states:
    Persistently wags and spreads tail when feeding!

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  11. Great great shots of your mystery humming bird. I also looked but still unable to identify, hopefully someone will help name the beauty.

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    1. Thanks for trying MonaLiza.....I appreciate it!

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    2. Hi Gay, I reexamined your bird again and compared it with my field book (National Geographic). The hummingbird fits the description to a Broad-billed Hummingbird and is common in desert canyons where you took this picture. I am not sure but that is my guess :)

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    3. Thanks MonaLiza...I also thought it was the female broad-tailed when I went back and looked again.

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  12. I pulled out all my bird books and assorted other material. It may be a White-eared Hummingbird. I believe I picked this booklet up at Madera Canyon store it was well worth the money and it is coated for longer lasting wear. I love Madera Canyon I go up often just to sit and watch the birds and for the peace of the place.

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    1. Oh wow...a new bird to research. Thanks Jo. I certainly know why it's a favorite place to go. It is beautiful. Thursdays are school days for 4 th graders...not so quiet!

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