Allen's Hummingbird, adult male

February 23, 2004

Knox Yard, Lafayette, LA

This guy showed up 2/22/04, and gave the appearance of a heavy hummingbird carrying migratory fat. He looked to be in complete adult plumage and his wings created a nice whistle in flight. He was able to claim a feeder among the Rufous territories in the yard, and I was able to catch him for banding. My friend Paul Conover joined me and took this shot of me and my buddy. We were doing some bonding until he realized it was time to go.

    His winter molt was complete with no pin feathers anywhere. The head and throat were very nice, but the lower line of the gorget was a bit uneven. This is a feature that fellow bander Bob Sargent, has noted on second year adults. The back was the characteristic green mantle with an orange rump. The wing was complete with primaries 9 and 10 having the sharper tips that create the whistling sound heard in flight. The adult tail include the long, pointed, 2nd rectrix (R2) lacking the notch on the tip. This is a feature that helps confirm the identification as Allen's. . He had developed considerable fat deposits above and below the chest, and weighed a heavy 4.4 grams. He was seen again later in the afternoon, but he will not be here long. Perhaps another day or so to top off his weight, and then off on his next leg of migration.

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