Hummingbird ID help

Hello all, it's been a while. I have some pics from my vacation in Durango Colorado of the hummingbirds that swarmed the feeder at our cabin. I was wanting to try to ID them so I could submit my counts to Cornell's E-bird page (if you guys don't participate in this you should - they need help! Here's the site: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ )

There are quite a few shots, hopefully you can make them out enough. Those guys are tough to capture!!

In this first one, I am pretty sure the two orange ones on the left are a male and female Rufous hummingbird. I am leaning toward ruby throated hummers for the green ones.... but really I am not sure. I remember catching an occasional glimpse of red on their throats when they were "talking".

What is throwing me is that I have heard that sometimes rufous hummers have a green backed form... so maybe these are all rufous?? AGGHH. The orange and green ones did not seem to get along... the orange ones were more aggressive which is another reason I think they are Rufous.

Another similar shot. I can upload the bigger version if needed.

Edited to add: I just noticed the differences in some of their tails -- look at the green guy furthest to the left. His tail has orange black and white just like the hummer to the immediate right of the feeder (the one closest to the feeder, facing the camera). The one right next to that with the red throat has a dark tail...



This message was edited Jul 1, 2008 6:39 PM

Here's some from inside the house, so they aren't as clear.

I zoomed in on 2 of the guys from the previous picture

Edited to add: OOPS posted the same pic twice!! see below for the right one.

This message was edited Jul 1, 2008 6:28 PM

Here it is

More pics, again I can load the bigger one if needed

More

Close up of a bird from the previous pic

Look at them all!

Closeup of 2 from the previous pic swordfighting

Another closeup

Last one

Hi rntx, Lucky you to see so many hummers!

The larger pics are better. I see Rufous and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.The Rufous
can have a green, brown or even mixed green/brown back.

Some others in the pics I'm not sure of right now.

Definitely male Rufous at the second-left on the first pic, and top right in the last pic. Rufous is only a passage migrant in southwestern CO; adult males would be starting to move back south now, but probably not females or immatures yet.

The other at the far left isn't definitely Rufous, it could be female Broad-tailed.

I strongly suspect many or most of the rest are Broad-tailed, which is the common breeding hummer in southwestern CO. Ruby-throated would be a mega-rarity there, so is highly unlikely. Black-chinned also occurs there; there could be some in the photos but I've not been able to pick out any definites. The one with the fanned tail at the far left of the 2nd pic is close to definite Broad-tailed; can you post a large pic (either crop or the whole pic) of that one, please? Also large pics of any others with their tails fanned (inc. top right in the 2nd pic), they're often the best for identification.

Resin

Any larger pics??

Sorry it took so long for me to get back, been working a lot. But now I am off for 6 days (wooo hooo!) so I will get the picture CD and upload the original files (mega size, LOL). Thanks for everyone's help!

Edited to add: I think you are right that some of these are Broad-tailed. I just read their description and it fits them on the nose. I remember hearing a weird sound when one would fly by my head - could be the "cricket like whistle" the descriptions talk about.

This message was edited Jul 4, 2008 6:59 PM

This message was edited Jul 5, 2008 6:28 PM

Ok, I reloaded the pics and enhanced them a little so you could see them better. See how this is.

#1

#2

#3

Oops duplicate

This message was edited Jul 5, 2008 6:32 PM

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

Resin will be here tomorrow morning to have a look. :-)

OK thanks!!

#1, #2 - top, male Rufous; lower, left to right, female Broad-tailed, knot of three (enlarged in #2) rear two not reliably identifiable, front Broad-tailed.

#3 - mostly probably Broad-tailed; hovering bird immediately lower right of feeder definitely is.

#5 - mostly probably Broad-tailed. Enlargement (#6) shows male Rufous (hovering) fighting with what appears to be a female Anna's (note white eyebrow); if correct, this is out of range. Unfortunately, probably not enough detail to convince the CO rare birds committee.

#7 - birds in front with long heavy tails are Broad-tailed. Enlargement (#8) not definitely identifiable, the greenish-yellow throat iridescence is due to the angle of the light on it.

#9 - birds in front with long heavy tails are Broad-tailed. Others not reliably identifiable.

#10 - three birds with long heavy tails (left edge, centre, front right) are Broad-tailed. Others not reliably identifiable. Enlargement (#11) not definitely identifiable.

#12 - far left, female Broad-tailed; top right male Broad-tailed. Rest not definitely identifiable.

#13 - second from left is male Rufous. Rest not definitely identifiable.

Resin

Forgot to mention - a bit of a complication with several of the birds is that the red of the feeder is reflected on several of the birds, giving them orange / red tones that aren't part of their actual plumage colours.

Resin

Wow you are amazing! So I can safely report several broad tailed and at least a couple rufous. Excellent. I won't report an Anna's but it would be cool if it was one!