#ABArare - Calliope Hummingbird - Delaware

 

Another day, another first state record hummingbird for Delaware.  In a fashion remarkably similar to the story of yesterday's Anna's Hummingbird, a bird visiting a feeder in Wilmington since November 5 and originally identified only to genus was confirmed recently to be the state's first Calliope Hummingbird.  

photo by Hank Davis

 

Unfortunately, the bird has not been seen since November 11. Andy Urquart recently posted the following on the Delaware listserv:

Although the homeowner reports that the Calliope Hummingbird was seen this morning, it was not seen during a 4-hour vigil this afternoon, despite repeated feeder visits by a Rufous Hummingbird also present on the property. A significant difficulty is that the backyard where the bird has been seen is not visible or accessible from the street. The only viewing is from inside the house. The homeowner is willing to try to arrange access for birders, but first we need to determine if the bird is still around. If it is, some directions will be issued for birders to try to get to see the bird.

Calliope Hummingbird is another common western hummingbird reported with increasing frequency at feeders in the east in fall.  Recent reports in the east include one from nearby Chester, Pennsylvania, from earlier this week.  Delaware is one of the last states in the east to add the species to its official list.