Rufous vs Allen's

Gallery: AvianPosted March 30, 201815,776 views10 comments

More than likely, this is a Rufous Hummingbird but it is really difficult to tell the difference between a Rufous and Allen's male in breeding plumage. I have looked through several bird guides including Sibley, iBird, and National Geographic Birds of North America. iBird includes multiple photographs of both birds and they all look alike to me. The general range of the Allen's shows that it basically stops in southern Oregon but there have been sightings in British Columbia. Statistically this would be a rufous because I live within it's range in the Pacific Northwest. I have included a side view. These were taken yesterday afternoon.

Iso-1000, 200-500 at 480 mm, F7 .1, 800th, handheld, D 500, 60% of full frame, Adobe camera raw 10.2, Topaz adjust, TK sharpening action at 30%

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on March 30, 2018 at 11:38 AM

Here's a side view.
Iso-500, f6.3, 500th, handheld D500

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on March 30, 2018 at 11:58 AM

He is gorgeous, whichever he is, David, and you did such a good job capturing the shot. Nice color and detail, with a nice soft BG. I am looking forward to our hummingbirds coming back. I have missed them!

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on March 30, 2018 at 12:47 PM

He is indeed gorgeous David. Really nice detail in both of these. Very nice flash of the gorgets. I have heard that the Alllen's tends to have more green down the back and the feathers are narrower on the sides of their tails. Not sure if that is absolute though.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on March 30, 2018 at 1:52 PM

If he comes back today, I will try to get a posterior shot. Sibley states they are very difficult to distinguish the two species. Nat. Geo states this is immature plumage, not breeding plumage.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on March 30, 2018 at 5:15 PM

Fine colorful image in superb soft light, David. Detail in the big image is impressive.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 30, 2018 at 6:37 PM

Love the gorget on this shot David, nice wing blur to go with a tack sharp head. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Genny K. on March 31, 2018 at 12:50 AM

Wow. The large version of the 1st image is stunning! The color and detail is amazing. What a gorgeous bird.
I still don't understand how they can fly, given their small wing-to-body ratio.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on March 31, 2018 at 3:21 PM

All of your hummingbird photos have been beautiful and well presented, but this one stands out. Just gorgeous. I think you have discovered a hybrid and can name it the Schoen's Alfous Hummingbird, or Rufal or ??????

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on March 31, 2018 at 6:42 PM

Either way, you nailed it. Excellent sharpness, solid eye contact. Rufous started showing up here last week on their annual migration.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 31, 2018 at 9:12 PM

Sweet job, David. I'd go with the Rufous-that's what I always call them when I see these here. Excellent detail and exposure with a nice background and a great gorget.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments