Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2020-58


Common name:

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Scientific name: Cynanthus latirostris
Date: 10 Oct 2020
Time: 5:32 PM
Length of time observed: 45 Minutes (several short visits to feeder)
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Location: Kincaid Residence, Miller Lane Castle Valley Utah 84532
County: Grand
Latilong: 38.639744, -109.389903
Elevation: 4800 feet
Distance to bird: 10 feet or more
Optical equipment: Canon 10 x 30 image stabilized binoculars. Sony RX10-IV Camera
Weather: Upper 60's clear light breeze
 
Light Conditions: Clear, indirect light on the bird
Description:        Size of bird: Hummingbird-sized
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Hummingbird, obvious by long needle-like bill.
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Overall bluish green. When perched wings appear black. Region of blue in throat, extending under eyes.
(Description:)            Bill Type: Long and thin. Needle-like
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Obvious hummingbird by size, shape, bill, flight pattern, and visits to hummingbird feeder. Broadly notched tail apparent when hovering at feeder. Overall green color with blue gorget. White undertail coverts. Bill dark at tip with red extending from base to approximately halfway to tip. Small white postocular region.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: Bird called while at feeder. A sharp "tek" which seemed to be louder and sharper than other expected hummingbirds.
Behavior: Visited hummingbird feeder at frequency approximately 5-15 minutes.
Habitat: Open, sage and bushes, interspersed with Juniper and introduced trees.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
The only other regularly occurring hummingbird in North America with red base of bill is the White-eared Hummingbird. This can be eliminated by the following features of the subject bird: 1) Longer, slightly downcurved bill. 2) Blue Gorget. 3) Lack of significant white supercilium. 4) Broadly notched tail.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I have seen this species in Utah, Arizona and California.
 
References consulted: Sibley Guide To Birds, 2nd edition. National Geographic Field Guide To The Birds Of North America, 7th edition. Cornell Orinthology Lab Birds of the World (online).
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Glenn Kincaid
Observer's address: HC64 Box 2404 Castle Valley Ut 84532
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird:  
Date prepared: 13 Oct 2020
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: This bird was also present on October 11 from approximately 7AM to 10AM. ebird checklists available from both days (ebird server is presently down so I cannot supply checklist ID #'s)