A Correction

In a previous post (dated 1-26-07) I mentioned that I had measured the bill of our deceased hummingbird, and wrote that "at 15mm its culmen was outside the range of Black-chinned." I was incorrect. In email I received the following comment from Allen Chartier:

"The bill length is one of the less reliable characteristics for separating Black-chinned from Ruby-throated, as there is quite a bit of overlap. Your measurement of 15mm would suggest a male of either species."

So bill length is not diagnostic in this instance. I still conclude that it's a Ruby-throated based upon a combination of features (primary shape, coloration, behavior).