Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-52(R78)
(Transcribed by M. G. Moody)
| Common name: |
Rivoli's Hummingbird [Magnificent Hummingbird] |
| Scientific name: | Eugenes fulgens |
| Date: | July 8, 1978 |
| Time: | 7:20 AM to 7:25 AM |
| Length of time observed: | |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | female adult |
| Sex: | female |
| Location: | 0.5 mile south of Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 20 feet estimated |
| Optical equipment: | 7 x 35 binoculars |
| Weather: | |
| Light Conditions: | clear sky, sun behind observers |
| Description: Size of bird: | ["Length was about 5 inches"] |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | ["Bill was long and slender and dark."] |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Length was about 5 inches. Upper parts were green, wings were brownish, tail was green with white tips on the outer feathers. Underparts were white. Bill was long and slender and dark. There was a small white patch in back of the eye. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | not heard |
| Behavior: | Bird was first observed flying along the lower edge of a 40 foot cottonwood, apparently looking for insects. The bird then flew slowly toward the top of the tree and disappeared into the upper foliage. |
| Habitat: | Cottonwoods, willows, tamarisk |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Black-chinned hummingbird is much smaller in size. Many black-chins were
feeding in the cottonwood tree where the rivoli was observed, so direct size
comparison was made. Blue-throated hummingbird has black tail with white tip. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I have observed rivolis and blue-throated humming birds many times in SE Arizona. Black-chins are abundant in Utah. |
| References consulted: | |
| Description from: | notes made after observation |
| Observer: | Steven P. Hedges |
| Observer's address: | 889 S. Cedar Knolls W., Cedar City, UT 84720 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Rod Lemon, Utah State Univ., Logan, Utah |
| Date prepared: | |
| Additional material: | Original Record |
| Additional comments: |