The better part of the Fall migration of songbirds ends with October. Hawks and Owls keep coming, and Ducks winter here, but there are also typically a few "strays" or "accidentals": birds that don't belong here. They get blown off course by storms, or maybe they have navigation problems; it's hard to know for sure, but November is often the month for unusual sightings. One particular caveat that's put forth is to give close scrutiny to any Hummingbird seen after October 1st. Normally, the Ruby-throated is the only Hummer seen in the eastern US, but out west there are several species, and occasionally they find their way here, causing excitement among local birders. Most adult male Hummingbirds are distinctive, but females and immature birds can be very difficult to distinguish, so it's not always easy to know what you're looking at. For the last couple of weeks there's been a bird at Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers, which has been ID'd as a Rufous Hummingbird, the western species most often seen here. I wasn't quite up to making the trek to Yonkers for a mixed up bird, but things got more interesting when two more late Hummers were reported in Fort Tryon Park, at the north end of Manhattan. Someone made note of them in the Central Park bird log, reporting them as Ruby-throats. Given the late date, expert birder Tom Fiore went up to take a look, and subsequently confirmed them as RTs, in a post which I didn't save. Tom's usually reliable, so many people wrote them off, despite his polite suggestion that others should check the birds out on their own. Well, this last Sunday I got a message suggesting that they were in fact Rufous (or possibly the almost identical Allen's). Fort Tryon is the park near the Cloisters; a doable trip by subway, and worth the effort for a life bird, so I headed up, even though I hadn't planned on any birding that day. I had no trouble finding the birds, as a group of observers were already watching them. The surprise was that the ID had changed again: now they were the even rarer Calliope Hummingbird, a species never before recorded in NY state. Several knowledgeable folks were there discussing the identifying characteristics, which ruined my objectivity, but I've got to say I'm disappointed in Tom. I guess there had been some plumage development since he saw them, but even I could discern the structural features separating them from Ruby-throats. The Calliope has a shorter bill and tail, with the tips of the wings extending beyond the tail when closed. It's generally stubbier than the RT; in fact, it's the smallest bird native to the US. But these are small points, and I was already biased by foreknowledge; I doubt I'd have known better if I had just run into them on my own. Anyway, I'm reprinting some of the posts from the bird email below, with Tom's apologia. These birds are very cooperative, and lots of photos were taken; I'll post a link if some go up on the web. In the meantime, head uptown in the unseasonable weather if you want a final speck of Summer.
DATE: Saturday, 1 December 2001
There may be some more news to report regarding the Fort Tryon
Park (near the Cloisters in northern Manhattan) hummingbirds - we'll
see what develops, literally, from photos taken today ... the 2 birds
were still present as reported previously, with at least one birder
today saying he'd seen at least 1 of the hummers there about 3 weeks
ago. Jerry Kamlet was the one who wrote in the CP bird-log about the
sighting he had at Ft. Tryon when his wife said she saw a hummingbird
& Jerry at first didn't believe her, but then saw not just one but 2!
John Kata, who also lives nearby, said he'd been seeing at least 1 of
the hummers there for "3 weeks or more" before today. A Danish birder
visiting NYC observed what he thought might be a touch of rufous
color in the uppertail of just one of these 2 hummers, but two of us
weren't able to see that to confirm the detail. Again, hopefully
photos, along with scrutiny by other birders, may tell with greater
certainty what species we're seeing here. December records of
Ruby-throated, as these both have been presumed to be, are quite few
& far-between around here!
- Best of luck to all - Tom
Fiore.
DATE: Saturday, 1 December 2001
SUBJECT: Selasphorus Hummingbirds in NYC
REPORTED BY: Joseph DiCostanzo
Went to Rye Playland in Westchester County for the Linnaean
Society of New York field trip led by Tom Burke this morning (Sat.,
Dec. 1). Incredibly mild weather. Some fog early, but we did have a
couple of Northern Gannets on LI Sound as well as an American
Oystercatcher and several Purple Sandpipers on the jetty. On Playland
Lake there were a few Red-throated Loons, both scaup, Buffleheads,
Common Goldeneye and a scattering of other ducks.
Afterwards we went to the Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers
(directions on the NYC RBA) overlooking the Hudson River to look for
the Rufous Hummingbird that has been hanging out there for the last
two weeks. The bird was uncooperative and over a two hour plus period
was only briefly glimpsed by a few people.
We then drove south to Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan
to look for the two hummingbirds being reported there (directions on
the NYC RBA). These two hummingbirds were much more cooperative. The
consensus opinion was that they are both Selasphorus hummingbirds,
probably both Rufous Hummingbirds. One is probably an adult female
and the other a juvenile male. Both show rufous (though fairly
limited) in the base of the tail. One is buffier than the other on
the flanks. One has a central patch of iridescent red feathers on the
throat (the probable adult female) while the other has a scattering
of iridescent feathers across the throat. The tail feathers on both
birds seem to be a fairly uniform width, including the outer ones,
which argue against Allen's Hummingbird. Both Peter Post and Sean
Sime got photos which will hopefully pin down the id.
Joe DiCostanzo
Fort Tryon Park (Upper Manhattan) Calliope Hummingbirds:
+ 2Dec Tom Fiore
+ 2Dec Mike Bochnik
+ 1Dec Steve Nanz
+ 2Dec Eric Salzman
+ 3Dec John Askildsen
+ 3Dec Tom Fiore
+ 3Dec Doug Futuyma
DATE: Sunday, 2 December 2001
LOCATION: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
SUBMITTED BY: Tom Fiore
With regard the 2 hummingbirds at the north end of Manhattan, I'd
like to offer sincere apologies to all in the birding community, for
perpetuating a mis-identification (rare birds called common), &
especially for not calling for everyone to come & see these two birds
for themselves at their earliest opportunity. I'm glad so many other
birders made it to Fort Tryon Park to view the 2 birds there over
this weekend, & found the birds reasonably cooperative. A personal
apology to Tom Burke, to Paul Buckley, & to Ben Cacace each of whom I
communicated directly with regarding the sightings.
Since 2 of the earliest observers of these 2 hummers were at Fort
Tryon Park yesterday (Sat.), I heard their comments regarding the
changes in plumage, most notably the throat color - Jerry Kamlet said
he'd noticed virtually no color on the throat of 1 of the two hummers
when he & his wife first saw them 2 weeks earlier, he had assumed
that bird to be a female at first, saying that it was over all a
"duller, more drab-looking bird" - John Kata agreed, & also wondered
if these were even the same individuals he'd seen earlier. I believe
there was at least a small change in plumage, especially on the
throats of both, from just 8 days ago when I first saw them.
The birder with Steve Nanz & I who said he observed rufous in the
tail of at least one of the birds Sat. was Carl Christian Tofte -
he's visiting from Denmark & has seen many hummingbirds, in Central &
S. America. Carl made some nice sketches of the Fort Tryon birds.
With the Manhattan (Lower Hudson) Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 16,
we'll be wondering if these hummingbirds will continue until then.
The Bronx/Westchester count is the following Sunday, Dec. 23 which
could make the Lenoir (Yonkers) Rufous hummer a bit more 'chancy',
although perhaps better cared for, & without a "competing" hummer.
- Best of luck to all - Tom Fiore.
****************************
DATE: Sunday, 2 December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope hummingbirds at Fort Tryon Park
REPORTED BY: Mike Bochnik
I finally got to look at the two hummingbirds that have been at the
gardens in Fort Tryon Park, northern tip of Manhattan.
Tom Burke saw both of them briefly late Saturday and thought one
could be a Calliope. The most obvious mark is an elongated gorget
feather.
I had great looks at both birds Sunday mourning. Everything is
consistent for Calliope on the bird with the elongated feather. The
other things that stood out were wings longer than the tail, and
shortish bill and short tail, (looked squash when folded). I ruled
out Allen's, Rufous and Ruby-throat on the second bird due to is long
wings also. The second bird looks to be the same size or slightly
smaller than the other. And with the same short bill.
I just got a call saying that Paul Lehman and other NJ birders were
there this afternoon and confirmed that they are BOTH Calliope
hummers!
You can enter the park by car from the northbound Henry Hudson
Parkway. Drive around the Cloisters, then bare right with the sign to
Fort Washington Ave. Park at the stone building on the right. Walk up
the stairs on the right and head uphill to the garden.
The garden can be reached from Fort Washington Ave entrance. At the
entrance circle. look for the walk paths on the opposite side that
lead right into the garden.
****************************
DATE: Saturday, 1 December 2001
LOCATION: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
REPORTED BY: Steve Nanz
Yesterday, Saturday, I went to Ft Tryon to see what I could make of
Tom Fiore's Hummers. Since I saw red in the throats of both, I
assumed they were both Ruby-throateds. Never saw R-Ts with so much
buff in the sides. Guess I never really noticed.
Some fellow from Denmark was with me and later Tom himself showed up.
We watched at least one do a big "J" flight pattern on at least two
occasions and make a fairly distinct short buzz sound. Funny I never
noticed this with R-Ts either. One had streaks of red in the throat.
The other had a central red throat spot and Carl, the Danish birder,
saw "rufous" in the sides of the tail.
After taking photo shots of both, the three of us went to Lenoir to
get the Rufous Hummer. Drat, no luck. Told the birders patiently
waiting there about Ft Tryon.
I went home thinking, "What a nice day. Too bad I missed the bird at
Lenoir. Still no new birds for me in New York this year. Oh well."
Steve Nanz
****************************
DATE: Sunday, 2 December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope Hummingbirds
REPORTED BY: Eric Salzman
On my way up to see the Rufous Hummingbird at the Lenoir Preserve in
Yonkers at about 11am this morning, I decided to stop off at Fort
Tryon Park and check out the two hummers there. The only other birder
there was Mike Bochnik, the man who discovered the Rufous on Nov. 17
(only one day, by the way, before the Ft Tryon birds were first seen
and identified as late Ruby-throats!). Mike, to my astonishment,
suggested that one of the hummers might be a Calliope! In spite of
some questions, an extended closeup visit with these birds suggested
that (1) both bird were the same species, (2) the species in question
was not Ruby-throated nor a Selasphorus; (3) all field marks and
behaviors observed fit Calliope quite well. Afterwards we went up to
see the Yonkers Rufous which, among other things, offered many points
of comparison. On my way down, I made a longish stop back in Fort
Tryon Park (where a crowd of a dozen or more birders had now
gathered) and was able to watch these birds -- which remained almost
continuously in view and at amazingly short distances -- for an even
more extended period. While I'm sure that others will file more
detailed and authoritative reports and photographs, the following are
my observations of the Ft Tryon birds.
1) In spite of some difference in markings, the two birds had exactly
the same structure and appeared to me from the beginning as almost
certainly the same species.
2) One bird, which was described as an immature male (hereafter IM),
had a number of isolated gorget feathers which, in good light, could
be seen to be rose red without any of the orangey or golden/yellow
tints seen on Rufous and Allen's. The other bird, described as a
female or immature female (hereafter F), had gorget feathers in a
small central patch which generally appeared dark but, when it caught
the light, also showed the same rose red color. Both birds were mossy
green to dark green on the back. Both showed white tips to their
three outer tail feathers with a limited amount of rufous on the
upper tail -- features that could be observed when the tails were
spread. Both were buffy on the sides underneath. Both had short,
square tails and dark bills about the same length as their heads.
Both showed the outline of the gorget. IM had one long rose-red
gorget feather that extended below this gorget line. The gorget area
in F was stippled with dark dots which, especially when feeding, seem
to extend into dark streaks (this was quite independent of the dark
area of rose-red feathers in the center of the throat). All these
features are compatible with or suggestive of the Calliope thesis.
3) In comparison with the Rufous Hummingbird, both IM and F seemed
small and compact with wings that were distinctly as long or slightly
longer than the tail. This seems to rule out all Selasphorus
hummingbirds as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbird and, in fact,
virtually every other possibility with the exception of Costa's!.
4) Both birds indulged in display flights but most of the flights
were performed by F, in agonistic interactions with IM which
consistently occupied a perch just below the patch of flowers that
was favored by both birds. This U-shaped display, accompanied by a
high-pitched "queerrrr" or "queeep" call, was often repeated two
or
three times. A short series of rattling chips was also heard. All of
this is consistent with the Calliope thesis and also suggests that
both birds are immature males.
In my view, the only real alternative to Calliope that needs to be
considered would be the (admittedly much more unlikely) Costa's. The
points which favor Calliope are as follows: Costa's underparts are
whitish or white-and-gray and have little or no buff; the gorget is
purple rather than rose red; most Costa's, in various plumages, show
a pale or white supercilium; Costa's bill is more curved than
Calliope; Costa's tail is paddle-shaped rather than square; and
Costa's display is accompanied by a more extended whistle.
By the way, can we get NYC Parks to put out a couple of hummingbird
feeders for these birds (as was done at Lenoir) so these birds have a
chance of surviving the imminent disappearance of their food sources?
Eric Salzman
--
Eric Salzman
29 Middagh Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
718 522-6138
****************************
DATE: Monday, 3 December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope Hummingbirds, Ft. Tryon Park
REPORTED BY: John Askildsen
To All-
Tom Burke and I made a foray to Fort Tryon Park early this morning to
view the Calliope Hummingbirds, formerly reported as Ruby-throats.
Close views this morning revealed all of the definitive field marks
for Calliope. They include the almost complete absence of rufous in
the upper tail coverts, a white mark that runs above the back part of
the eye, and then drops down behind the eye, the short, central tail
feathers that form a triangular point at the tip. These shorter tail
feathers overlap on, and rest on top of the of all the tail feathers
on the folded tail. The wings are as long as the tail and tend to
appear drooped a bit, giving the appearance of the wings extending
beyond the tail. One of the individuals even has a few of the
elongated gorget feathers, which appear to me to be sort of reddish,
magenta, or perhaps even fuscia. Definitely not red, rust, or copper
toned. Finally, Tom and I, and one other unidentified person
witnessed the more aggressive young male perform the "U" flight
display, and then we heard it make the distinctive display call note
(see Sibley). I hope everyone gets to see these little guys before
"old man winter" nails them! It does not seem likely that this will
happen this week. It sounds like Bermuda shorts will be the order of
the day towards Friday.
Best,
John Askildsen
****************************
DATE: Monday, 3 December 2001
LOCATION: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore
I concur fully with the identification of the two hummingbirds
at Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan as New York State's first-
ever sightings of Calliope Hummingbird, both appearing to be young
males & both having gained further color in their gorgets. Thanks to
Tom Burke for first suggesting the species identity on Sat., Dec. 1;
& to Paul Lehman for strongly confirming them, based on experience in
part from a hummingbird caught on video last year in New Jersey which
later proved to have been a Calliope (N.J.'s second record of the
sp.) after the bird had moved on. Thanks to Mike Bochnik, who also
strongly confirmed the ID & quickly put the word out, & of course
identified & publicized the Rufous Hummingbird in Yonkers, at the
Lenoir Preserve. The two Calliopes were watched until the end of the
day today, feeding & perching, chasing & cavorting, seen at close
range by all who came. Thanks to Paul Buckley for showing off the
not-yet-published "Photo. Guide to N.A. Hummingbirds, by Steve N.G.
Howell, due in (early?) '02 from Academic Publishers, $29.95
softcover - looks like a worthwhile book for all of us wanting a bit
more on this group, & not too bulky!
The Lenoir/Yonkers Rufous Hummingbird continues as well; it may
be a bit more reluctant to come in when "crowded", & observers might
try to give it a bit more space, of which there's plenty at Lenoir, a
very nice peaceful preserve ... 2 lifer hummers today for Pat
Pollock!
A posting on the "Humnet" website for Dec. 1st noted 137 reports over
24 eastern United States of Rufous Hummingbirds, since August 1, 2001
By contrast there seem to be just 2 eastern Calliope reports
recently.
- Best of luck to all - Tom Fiore.
****************************
** FROM: NYSBIRDS-L
DATE: [Monday, 3] December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope Hummingbirds in Manhattan
REPORTED BY: Doug Futuyma
This is to confirm Michael Bochnik's notice that the hummingbirds in
Fort Tryon Park were identified yesterday as Calliope Hummingbirds.
One is clearly an immature male, sporting several gorget feathers
that project above the contour of the throat. The other bird has a
cluster of iridescent feathers, of the same color, on the midline of
the lower throat. This feature, its aggression toward its partner,
and its characteristic U-shaped flight display suggest that it too is
an immature male.
Those who observe the bird will want to note the throat feathers
described above, and the features of the tail that are described in
the Sibley guide. On the bird at rest, note that the wingtips extend
to or beyond the tail tip, that the central (uppermost) rectrices are
shortest, and that they are shaped like the tip of a fence picket
(sides parallel, then abruptly angled toward the midline of the
feather, forming a triangular tip). The birds often sit close and low
enough for the dorsal surface of the tail to be seen quite well
enough for these features to be discerned. Note also the call given
during the flight display.
Doug Futuyma
Stony Brook, NY
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
To report sightings call:
- Tony Lauro (631) 734-4126
- Tom Burke (212) 697-0606 BEGIN TAPE
Greetings, this is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, December
2nd at 9 pm with a special report of CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS.
Two hummingbirds that have been frequenting the garden at Fort Tryon
in northern Manhattan for almost two weeks were initially thought to
be Ruby-Throated, but close scrutiny yesterday indicated otherwise.
The bird seen better on Saturday was thought to probably be an adult
female-like Rufous Hummingbird, but the second bird had a very
troubling long deep red gorget feather that had come in and this gave
rise to much closer scrutiny today. After detailed analysis,
especially of the tail patterns, by several birders, including some
very familiar with this species, both hummingbirds were determined to
be immature male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS, a new record for New York
State.
The two birds put on quite a show, feeding very closely to the
parallel path that has the garden between them. Excellent views can
be had. Many photographs and video have been taken. Hopefully these
hummers will stay as long as the warmer weather holds and the Salvia
stays healthy.
The Cloisters/Fort Tryon has an exit from the Henry Hudson Parkway
northbound only. Coming from the north, you could exit at Dyckman
Street, go south on Broadway to 181st Street, then go right to Fort
Washington Ave, you would then proceed north on Fort Washington Ave
to the Fort Tryon entrance at 190th Street. A few hundred yards
north on the road inside Fort Tryon is an old stone building which is
now the Turning Leaf Restaurant, with a limited amount of parking on
either side of the road. From here you need to proceed uphill past
the restaurant, keeping the hilltop with the large flagpole to your
right. On the Hudson River side of the ridge there are 2 parallel
paths that lead north to the flagpole arcade. Going slightly south
on either of these paths, the wide paved walking path or the narrower
one just below it, you will come to the garden area that contains the
blooming purplish Salvia that the hummingbirds have been frequenting.
Standing quietly near the Salvia should produce excellent views of
the hummers as they feed, interact and sometimes sit in these plants.
We will update the tape if we hear that the hummingbird status at
Fort Tryon has changed.
To phone in reports, on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at 631-734-4126.
Or weekdays call Tom Burke at 212-697-0606.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society.
Thank you for calling.
END TAPE
END TRANSCRIPT
|
DATE: Saturday, 1 December 2001
There may be some more news to report regarding the Fort Tryon
Park (near the Cloisters in northern Manhattan) hummingbirds - we'll
see what develops, literally, from photos taken today ... the 2 birds
were still present as reported previously, with at least one birder
today saying he'd seen at least 1 of the hummers there about 3 weeks
ago. Jerry Kamlet was the one who wrote in the CP bird-log about the
sighting he had at Ft. Tryon when his wife said she saw a hummingbird
& Jerry at first didn't believe her, but then saw not just one but 2!
John Kata, who also lives nearby, said he'd been seeing at least 1 of
the hummers there for "3 weeks or more" before today. A Danish birder
visiting NYC observed what he thought might be a touch of rufous
color in the uppertail of just one of these 2 hummers, but two of us
weren't able to see that to confirm the detail. Again, hopefully
photos, along with scrutiny by other birders, may tell with greater
certainty what species we're seeing here. December records of
Ruby-throated, as these both have been presumed to be, are quite few
& far-between around here!
- Best of luck to all - Tom
Fiore.
DATE: Saturday, 1 December 2001
SUBJECT: Selasphorus Hummingbirds in NYC
REPORTED BY: Joseph DiCostanzo
Went to Rye Playland in Westchester County for the Linnaean
Society of New York field trip led by Tom Burke this morning (Sat.,
Dec. 1). Incredibly mild weather. Some fog early, but we did have a
couple of Northern Gannets on LI Sound as well as an American
Oystercatcher and several Purple Sandpipers on the jetty. On Playland
Lake there were a few Red-throated Loons, both scaup, Buffleheads,
Common Goldeneye and a scattering of other ducks.
Afterwards we went to the Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers
(directions on the NYC RBA) overlooking the Hudson River to look for
the Rufous Hummingbird that has been hanging out there for the last
two weeks. The bird was uncooperative and over a two hour plus period
was only briefly glimpsed by a few people.
We then drove south to Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan
to look for the two hummingbirds being reported there (directions on
the NYC RBA). These two hummingbirds were much more cooperative. The
consensus opinion was that they are both Selasphorus hummingbirds,
probably both Rufous Hummingbirds. One is probably an adult female
and the other a juvenile male. Both show rufous (though fairly
limited) in the base of the tail. One is buffier than the other on
the flanks. One has a central patch of iridescent red feathers on the
throat (the probable adult female) while the other has a scattering
of iridescent feathers across the throat. The tail feathers on both
birds seem to be a fairly uniform width, including the outer ones,
which argue against Allen's Hummingbird. Both Peter Post and Sean
Sime got photos which will hopefully pin down the id.
Joe DiCostanzo
Fort Tryon Park (Upper Manhattan) Calliope Hummingbirds:
+ 2Dec Tom Fiore
+ 2Dec Mike Bochnik
+ 1Dec Steve Nanz
+ 2Dec Eric Salzman
+ 3Dec John Askildsen
+ 3Dec Tom Fiore
+ 3Dec Doug Futuyma
DATE: Sunday, 2 December 2001
LOCATION: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
SUBMITTED BY: Tom Fiore
With regard the 2 hummingbirds at the north end of Manhattan, I'd
like to offer sincere apologies to all in the birding community, for
perpetuating a mis-identification (rare birds called common), &
especially for not calling for everyone to come & see these two birds
for themselves at their earliest opportunity. I'm glad so many other
birders made it to Fort Tryon Park to view the 2 birds there over
this weekend, & found the birds reasonably cooperative. A personal
apology to Tom Burke, to Paul Buckley, & to Ben Cacace each of whom I
communicated directly with regarding the sightings.
Since 2 of the earliest observers of these 2 hummers were at Fort
Tryon Park yesterday (Sat.), I heard their comments regarding the
changes in plumage, most notably the throat color - Jerry Kamlet said
he'd noticed virtually no color on the throat of 1 of the two hummers
when he & his wife first saw them 2 weeks earlier, he had assumed
that bird to be a female at first, saying that it was over all a
"duller, more drab-looking bird" - John Kata agreed, & also wondered
if these were even the same individuals he'd seen earlier. I believe
there was at least a small change in plumage, especially on the
throats of both, from just 8 days ago when I first saw them.
The birder with Steve Nanz & I who said he observed rufous in the
tail of at least one of the birds Sat. was Carl Christian Tofte -
he's visiting from Denmark & has seen many hummingbirds, in Central &
S. America. Carl made some nice sketches of the Fort Tryon birds.
With the Manhattan (Lower Hudson) Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 16,
we'll be wondering if these hummingbirds will continue until then.
The Bronx/Westchester count is the following Sunday, Dec. 23 which
could make the Lenoir (Yonkers) Rufous hummer a bit more 'chancy',
although perhaps better cared for, & without a "competing" hummer.
- Best of luck to all - Tom Fiore.
****************************
DATE: Sunday, 2 December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope hummingbirds at Fort Tryon Park
REPORTED BY: Mike Bochnik
I finally got to look at the two hummingbirds that have been at the
gardens in Fort Tryon Park, northern tip of Manhattan.
Tom Burke saw both of them briefly late Saturday and thought one
could be a Calliope. The most obvious mark is an elongated gorget
feather.
I had great looks at both birds Sunday mourning. Everything is
consistent for Calliope on the bird with the elongated feather. The
other things that stood out were wings longer than the tail, and
shortish bill and short tail, (looked squash when folded). I ruled
out Allen's, Rufous and Ruby-throat on the second bird due to is long
wings also. The second bird looks to be the same size or slightly
smaller than the other. And with the same short bill.
I just got a call saying that Paul Lehman and other NJ birders were
there this afternoon and confirmed that they are BOTH Calliope
hummers!
You can enter the park by car from the northbound Henry Hudson
Parkway. Drive around the Cloisters, then bare right with the sign to
Fort Washington Ave. Park at the stone building on the right. Walk up
the stairs on the right and head uphill to the garden.
The garden can be reached from Fort Washington Ave entrance. At the
entrance circle. look for the walk paths on the opposite side that
lead right into the garden.
****************************
DATE: Saturday, 1 December 2001
LOCATION: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
REPORTED BY: Steve Nanz
Yesterday, Saturday, I went to Ft Tryon to see what I could make of
Tom Fiore's Hummers. Since I saw red in the throats of both, I
assumed they were both Ruby-throateds. Never saw R-Ts with so much
buff in the sides. Guess I never really noticed.
Some fellow from Denmark was with me and later Tom himself showed up.
We watched at least one do a big "J" flight pattern on at least two
occasions and make a fairly distinct short buzz sound. Funny I never
noticed this with R-Ts either. One had streaks of red in the throat.
The other had a central red throat spot and Carl, the Danish birder,
saw "rufous" in the sides of the tail.
After taking photo shots of both, the three of us went to Lenoir to
get the Rufous Hummer. Drat, no luck. Told the birders patiently
waiting there about Ft Tryon.
I went home thinking, "What a nice day. Too bad I missed the bird at
Lenoir. Still no new birds for me in New York this year. Oh well."
Steve Nanz
****************************
DATE: Sunday, 2 December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope Hummingbirds
REPORTED BY: Eric Salzman
On my way up to see the Rufous Hummingbird at the Lenoir Preserve in
Yonkers at about 11am this morning, I decided to stop off at Fort
Tryon Park and check out the two hummers there. The only other birder
there was Mike Bochnik, the man who discovered the Rufous on Nov. 17
(only one day, by the way, before the Ft Tryon birds were first seen
and identified as late Ruby-throats!). Mike, to my astonishment,
suggested that one of the hummers might be a Calliope! In spite of
some questions, an extended closeup visit with these birds suggested
that (1) both bird were the same species, (2) the species in question
was not Ruby-throated nor a Selasphorus; (3) all field marks and
behaviors observed fit Calliope quite well. Afterwards we went up to
see the Yonkers Rufous which, among other things, offered many points
of comparison. On my way down, I made a longish stop back in Fort
Tryon Park (where a crowd of a dozen or more birders had now
gathered) and was able to watch these birds -- which remained almost
continuously in view and at amazingly short distances -- for an even
more extended period. While I'm sure that others will file more
detailed and authoritative reports and photographs, the following are
my observations of the Ft Tryon birds.
1) In spite of some difference in markings, the two birds had exactly
the same structure and appeared to me from the beginning as almost
certainly the same species.
2) One bird, which was described as an immature male (hereafter IM),
had a number of isolated gorget feathers which, in good light, could
be seen to be rose red without any of the orangey or golden/yellow
tints seen on Rufous and Allen's. The other bird, described as a
female or immature female (hereafter F), had gorget feathers in a
small central patch which generally appeared dark but, when it caught
the light, also showed the same rose red color. Both birds were mossy
green to dark green on the back. Both showed white tips to their
three outer tail feathers with a limited amount of rufous on the
upper tail -- features that could be observed when the tails were
spread. Both were buffy on the sides underneath. Both had short,
square tails and dark bills about the same length as their heads.
Both showed the outline of the gorget. IM had one long rose-red
gorget feather that extended below this gorget line. The gorget area
in F was stippled with dark dots which, especially when feeding, seem
to extend into dark streaks (this was quite independent of the dark
area of rose-red feathers in the center of the throat). All these
features are compatible with or suggestive of the Calliope thesis.
3) In comparison with the Rufous Hummingbird, both IM and F seemed
small and compact with wings that were distinctly as long or slightly
longer than the tail. This seems to rule out all Selasphorus
hummingbirds as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbird and, in fact,
virtually every other possibility with the exception of Costa's!.
4) Both birds indulged in display flights but most of the flights
were performed by F, in agonistic interactions with IM which
consistently occupied a perch just below the patch of flowers that
was favored by both birds. This U-shaped display, accompanied by a
high-pitched "queerrrr" or "queeep" call, was often repeated two
or
three times. A short series of rattling chips was also heard. All of
this is consistent with the Calliope thesis and also suggests that
both birds are immature males.
In my view, the only real alternative to Calliope that needs to be
considered would be the (admittedly much more unlikely) Costa's. The
points which favor Calliope are as follows: Costa's underparts are
whitish or white-and-gray and have little or no buff; the gorget is
purple rather than rose red; most Costa's, in various plumages, show
a pale or white supercilium; Costa's bill is more curved than
Calliope; Costa's tail is paddle-shaped rather than square; and
Costa's display is accompanied by a more extended whistle.
By the way, can we get NYC Parks to put out a couple of hummingbird
feeders for these birds (as was done at Lenoir) so these birds have a
chance of surviving the imminent disappearance of their food sources?
Eric Salzman
--
Eric Salzman
29 Middagh Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
718 522-6138
****************************
DATE: Monday, 3 December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope Hummingbirds, Ft. Tryon Park
REPORTED BY: John Askildsen
To All-
Tom Burke and I made a foray to Fort Tryon Park early this morning to
view the Calliope Hummingbirds, formerly reported as Ruby-throats.
Close views this morning revealed all of the definitive field marks
for Calliope. They include the almost complete absence of rufous in
the upper tail coverts, a white mark that runs above the back part of
the eye, and then drops down behind the eye, the short, central tail
feathers that form a triangular point at the tip. These shorter tail
feathers overlap on, and rest on top of the of all the tail feathers
on the folded tail. The wings are as long as the tail and tend to
appear drooped a bit, giving the appearance of the wings extending
beyond the tail. One of the individuals even has a few of the
elongated gorget feathers, which appear to me to be sort of reddish,
magenta, or perhaps even fuscia. Definitely not red, rust, or copper
toned. Finally, Tom and I, and one other unidentified person
witnessed the more aggressive young male perform the "U" flight
display, and then we heard it make the distinctive display call note
(see Sibley). I hope everyone gets to see these little guys before
"old man winter" nails them! It does not seem likely that this will
happen this week. It sounds like Bermuda shorts will be the order of
the day towards Friday.
Best,
John Askildsen
****************************
DATE: Monday, 3 December 2001
LOCATION: Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan
REPORTED BY: Tom Fiore
I concur fully with the identification of the two hummingbirds
at Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan as New York State's first-
ever sightings of Calliope Hummingbird, both appearing to be young
males & both having gained further color in their gorgets. Thanks to
Tom Burke for first suggesting the species identity on Sat., Dec. 1;
& to Paul Lehman for strongly confirming them, based on experience in
part from a hummingbird caught on video last year in New Jersey which
later proved to have been a Calliope (N.J.'s second record of the
sp.) after the bird had moved on. Thanks to Mike Bochnik, who also
strongly confirmed the ID & quickly put the word out, & of course
identified & publicized the Rufous Hummingbird in Yonkers, at the
Lenoir Preserve. The two Calliopes were watched until the end of the
day today, feeding & perching, chasing & cavorting, seen at close
range by all who came. Thanks to Paul Buckley for showing off the
not-yet-published "Photo. Guide to N.A. Hummingbirds, by Steve N.G.
Howell, due in (early?) '02 from Academic Publishers, $29.95
softcover - looks like a worthwhile book for all of us wanting a bit
more on this group, & not too bulky!
The Lenoir/Yonkers Rufous Hummingbird continues as well; it may
be a bit more reluctant to come in when "crowded", & observers might
try to give it a bit more space, of which there's plenty at Lenoir, a
very nice peaceful preserve ... 2 lifer hummers today for Pat
Pollock!
A posting on the "Humnet" website for Dec. 1st noted 137 reports over
24 eastern United States of Rufous Hummingbirds, since August 1, 2001
By contrast there seem to be just 2 eastern Calliope reports
recently.
- Best of luck to all - Tom Fiore.
****************************
** FROM: NYSBIRDS-L
DATE: [Monday, 3] December 2001
SUBJECT: Calliope Hummingbirds in Manhattan
REPORTED BY: Doug Futuyma
This is to confirm Michael Bochnik's notice that the hummingbirds in
Fort Tryon Park were identified yesterday as Calliope Hummingbirds.
One is clearly an immature male, sporting several gorget feathers
that project above the contour of the throat. The other bird has a
cluster of iridescent feathers, of the same color, on the midline of
the lower throat. This feature, its aggression toward its partner,
and its characteristic U-shaped flight display suggest that it too is
an immature male.
Those who observe the bird will want to note the throat feathers
described above, and the features of the tail that are described in
the Sibley guide. On the bird at rest, note that the wingtips extend
to or beyond the tail tip, that the central (uppermost) rectrices are
shortest, and that they are shaped like the tip of a fence picket
(sides parallel, then abruptly angled toward the midline of the
feather, forming a triangular tip). The birds often sit close and low
enough for the dorsal surface of the tail to be seen quite well
enough for these features to be discerned. Note also the call given
during the flight display.
Doug Futuyma
Stony Brook, NY
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070
To report sightings call:
- Tony Lauro (631) 734-4126
- Tom Burke (212) 697-0606 BEGIN TAPE
Greetings, this is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, December
2nd at 9 pm with a special report of CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS.
Two hummingbirds that have been frequenting the garden at Fort Tryon
in northern Manhattan for almost two weeks were initially thought to
be Ruby-Throated, but close scrutiny yesterday indicated otherwise.
The bird seen better on Saturday was thought to probably be an adult
female-like Rufous Hummingbird, but the second bird had a very
troubling long deep red gorget feather that had come in and this gave
rise to much closer scrutiny today. After detailed analysis,
especially of the tail patterns, by several birders, including some
very familiar with this species, both hummingbirds were determined to
be immature male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS, a new record for New York
State.
The two birds put on quite a show, feeding very closely to the
parallel path that has the garden between them. Excellent views can
be had. Many photographs and video have been taken. Hopefully these
hummers will stay as long as the warmer weather holds and the Salvia
stays healthy.
The Cloisters/Fort Tryon has an exit from the Henry Hudson Parkway
northbound only. Coming from the north, you could exit at Dyckman
Street, go south on Broadway to 181st Street, then go right to Fort
Washington Ave, you would then proceed north on Fort Washington Ave
to the Fort Tryon entrance at 190th Street. A few hundred yards
north on the road inside Fort Tryon is an old stone building which is
now the Turning Leaf Restaurant, with a limited amount of parking on
either side of the road. From here you need to proceed uphill past
the restaurant, keeping the hilltop with the large flagpole to your
right. On the Hudson River side of the ridge there are 2 parallel
paths that lead north to the flagpole arcade. Going slightly south
on either of these paths, the wide paved walking path or the narrower
one just below it, you will come to the garden area that contains the
blooming purplish Salvia that the hummingbirds have been frequenting.
Standing quietly near the Salvia should produce excellent views of
the hummers as they feed, interact and sometimes sit in these plants.
We will update the tape if we hear that the hummingbird status at
Fort Tryon has changed.
To phone in reports, on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at 631-734-4126.
Or weekdays call Tom Burke at 212-697-0606.
This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society.
Thank you for calling.
END TAPE
END TRANSCRIPT
- alex 12-04-2001 7:36 pm