Posted by Connie Toops on September 10, 2013 at 10:48 pm
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Adult male rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus, Madison County, NC.
This adult male rufous hummingbird appeared at our feeder late on the afternoon of September 9, 2013. It has remained throughout today, September 10, feeding on numerous wildflowers in our yard and chasing the young ruby-throated hummers that have not yet migrated. This rufous is far out of its normal western migratory route, although other rufous hummers have been recorded in western NC in recent years. Note the tail feather (R2) that is notched near the tip. This is a definitive feature of rufous hummingbirds, but not Allens, which otherwise can be similar in appearance. Also, this hummer makes the characteristic rufous “buzzing” sound in flight.