UNUSUAL HUMMINGBIRD FOR IDAHO

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD -- Calypte anna

14 October - 16 November 2004, Boise, Ada County

While not an unheard of hummingbird in Idaho, Anna's certainly is deserving of attention in this state. On the official Birds of Idaho Field Checklist, Anna's Hummingbird is listed as rare and local statewide during migration. There are typically at most two or three reports per year (and I personally suspect a much larger number that goes unreported). The origin of these birds is uncertain, but it is thought that fall sightings may be wanderers from breeding sites in the Pacific Northwest, perhaps Seattle, WA or Vancouver, BC.

The Springers had reported to Greg Wardwell that they had a hummingbird coming to their feeder in late October. Harry Krueger visited the site shortly therafter and observed an adult male Anna's in the garden, feeding off Salvia elegans (Pineapple Sage) that was still in bloom. I attempted to catch this bird a few days later, but the only bird I observed was the female shown below -- and at that time I was unsuccessful in enticing her to our trap. I returned on 11/3 and was successfull this time. The photos below document this occurrence. Since the female was in adult plumage, and since they can attain this plumage prior to the New Year because of their early breeding times, it is impossible to confidently determine if this is an adult or a hatch year bird. The density of of iridescent gorget feathers along the midline of the throat suggests to me this is an adult bird, but just to be safe, she's officially termed "unknown."

This is the second Anna's I've banded in Idaho this year, the 6th confirmed Anna's in Idaho this year, and approximately the 24th record for the state (see www.IdahoBirds.net bird distribution records). We greatly appreciate the Springer family's willingness to allow us to study and document this bird up close.

UPDATE: This bird left this particular yard shortly after banding and apparently took up residence at a feeder a couple blocks away, where it remained for at least a couple more weeks.

PHOTOS (all © 2004 Stacy Jon Peterson)

Figure 1. The gorget on this adult female is typical of what can be present -- and is what many folks call immature males! Even the large gorget feather on the birds right side beneath the eye is OK for adult female Anna's.	Figure 2. The outer tail feathers had white tips and were fresh, indicating newly molted / grown feathers. This is a clear indication that the bird is a female, but the age cannot be determined with certainty.
Figure 3. The crown, cheek (except the one large feather visible in Fig 1) were devoid of colored gorget feathers.