Answer to Previous: This bird can be narrowed down to the genus Ammodramus by virtue of its intricate patterning and short tail. Ammodramus sparrows are large-headed and their heads are flat-topped (lacking a rounded forehead). You can easily narrow out other members of the genus by noting the clean, unstreaked nape. Furthermore, this bird’s back is scalloped with white edges and the tertials are edged in a rusty-red. The sparrow may appear to have an overall olive or dirty orange wash. This photo suggests (but I saw it in person so I know that it is) a Henslow’s Sparrow. The photo was taken in Leon County, Florida in December.
Photo Courtesy of Chris West
broad-billed hummingbird?
White Eared Humminbird
That bold white supercilium (or eyebrow) indicates White-eared Hummingbird.
Good Birding!
Joel Such
I have to say white-eared too. But Xantus wouldn’t be a bad guess either.
Xantus’s Hummingbird would have a redder tail and a buffy belly, so this is a White-eared. Also, this is sorta cheating, but I know that Chris West has never seen a Xantus’s in his life 🙂
White-eared hummingbird
Well done everyone, but just for ID purposes, I have a question. How would YOU personally tell this bird from a female Broad-billed Hummingbird?
How did you arrive at White-eared?
Post your answer!