English and Scientific names:

Broad-billed Hummingbird  Cynanthus latirostris

Number of individuals: 

1 male, probably immature

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Lafayette Parish

Specific Locality:

Urban yard in city of Lafayette. Old homes and landscaping.

Date(s) when observed:

February 11, 2008, home owner said it has been present since 2nd week of January.

Time(s) of day when observed:  

11:00 AM

Reporting observer and address:

Dave Patton

Lafayette, LA 70506

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Home owner, Judy Grand

Other observers accompanying reporter who independently identified the bird(s):

 

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

excellent. Filtered sunlight.

Optical equipment: 

Binoculars

Distance to bird(s): 

3 feet to 30 feet

Duration of observation:

20 minutes

Habitat: 

Backyard with old bushes and trees. Lots of evergreen cover. Hummingbird feeders.

Behavior of bird: 

Defending a section of the large yard from all birds that entered including sparrows and cardinals. It would perch hidden in the bambo thicket as well as fly around the tree tops chasing intruders.

Description:

Maxilla red at the base and out about 50%. Mandible was mostly red with a black tip. It was long and slightly curved.Crown was gray with old molty feathers and green with fresh feathers. Throat was blue with gray edging. Some white around eye, but not as clean as an adult male. Breast was green with a large patch of whitish feathers in the center probably remnant of immature plumage. Undertail coverts dirty white.Wings dark. Tail dark bluish black with worn tips.

Voice:

Distinctive chirping similar to Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Similar species:

Buff-bellied - vocals were not the sharp hard clicking of the Buiff-bellied. Tail was blue/black instead of bronze. Throat was blue not green.

White-eared - vocals are different. Was not much white around eye. Bill was long and curved rather than short and straight.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Photo's taken by Dave Patton. Attached.

Previous experience with this species: 

A few in Louisiana and some in western US and Mexico.

Identification aids:

after observation: Hummingbirds of N.A.

This description is written from: 

Memory and looking at photo's.

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes.

Reporter: 

Dave Patton

Date and time: 

February 11, 2008
6:00 PM