Black-chinned Hummingbird

Although all the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have migrated south from western Louisiana, there are a surprising number of interesting hummingbirds that birders have reported through mid-November. At least four other species of hummingbirds have been sighted, and not just one of each species. We’re talking 9 Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, 4 Black-chinned Hummingbirds, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbirds and 13 Rufous Hummingbirds – and that’s not all.

In addition to the 13 Rufous Hummingbirds that have been positively identified, there were 29 more hummingbirds reported that could not be positively identified between Rufous Hummingbirds and similar-looking and closely related Allen’s Hummingbirds. These Rufous/Allen’s hummers were probably females or immature birds that did not offer enough of a difference in the field to distinguish the species absolutely. Nonetheless, most if not all of these Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbirds were most likely Rufous Hummingbirds considering that no Allen’s Hummingbirds have been positively identified to date in Louisiana this fall. It’s an exciting fall in the western parishes of Louisiana!

To see the original report, you can refer to http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=1495496&MLID=LA&MLNM=Louisiana and you can watch for more updates of late-season hummingbirds reported by Louisiana birders.