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Raleigh Hummer



Hopefully, everyone had a good time on the Raleigh count today and a
good showing was made by both people and birds. I was able to see a
hummingbird at my feeder again today. It didn't appear until 12:30 and
stayed for but a short while. I left my house shortly thereafter and did
not return until dark and thus do not know it's eating frequency at my
rest stop. I was able to get quite a nice view of it on video during its
noon feeding. This past Wednesday I saw the bird for approximately 5-10
seconds without binoculars and had noticed a slight intermittent dark
collar across the throat region as well as a rufous tinge along the
flank. Today afforded a more defined view and the ability to review the
bird via camcorder. A more detailed description, however lacking it may
be, is as follows in approximate order of notice:  White throat, breast
and belly disturbed only by a dark somewhat intermittent collar at the
throat/breast demarcation with little streaking/spotting above or below
this interruption. A darkened auricular patch that sets off quite a
contrast with the bordering supercilium and malar areas. A very slight
pale rusty orange coloration along the upper half of the flanks.
Somewhat disturbing was the lack of ANY rufous observable in the
undertail coverts, tail base or tail feathers themselves( Will, any
subadult male Ruby-throats in winter recorded here?). However, my video
camera is a hi-8 and will only allow 1/5 of regular speed to be viewed
in playback and not frame to frame, so I can't make out the coloration
or shape of the tail feathers very well.  Susan Campbell, if the bird is
around Wednesday, plans to catch the little hummer and put an end to the
guessing game. I have had several inquiries from interested birders
about the possibility of stopping by and viewing for themselves. By all
means, stop by. My # is 845-0267. I'll give you directions. Roughly, I
live between Capital Blvd and Falls of Neuse and off of Durant Rd. in
north Raleigh.
Good hummering,
Joe Harris
Raleigh
lharris@nc.rr.com