Date: 04/26/2013

Number: 1

I've been watching out the window as much as possible, hoping to see the first ruby-throated hummer of the season. Yesterday afternoon I saw a hummer come to my feeders that didn't look like an adult male or female ruby-throated. After further examination I have determined this hummer must be an adult female selasphorus, probably a rufous given my location. She probably overwintered along the gulf coast and is headed back to her pacific northwest breeding ground. This hummer has crisp, clean coloring with significant rufous on its sides. She has a large partial gorget in the middle of her throat. She has white tips on some of her tail feathers. I never saw her after 4pm yesterday, but she showed up at the feeder again at first light this morning. She has disappeared again. Perhaps she is spending a lot of time at another feeder in the area or she may have left to continue her journey. The weather is very good for migrating.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Latitude: 42 Longitude: -91.7

Observed by: Dan
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