Hummingbird ID in Canada (BC)

[Bonsaibirder]

Hello,

During a recent trip to Trail, BC in Canada, I photographed this hummingbird in my brother-in-law's garden. I am pretty confident that it is either a Ruby-throated or Black-chinned, however I can't really get any further than that. I am also not sure if it is a female or a juvenile. I note that the bird has broad fringes to the upper-part feathers which may indicate a juvenile and it seems to have rounded tips to the tail feathers which may indicate the same. But to be honest, I am totally out of my depth with these!

Help on any of these points would be greatly appreciated.

The pictures can be seen here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/saddinall/HummerInBC?authkey=0CkRV3lSzlQ

Regards,

Steve

[Hirundo]

Hi Steve, not trivial to separate these two. I would go for Ruby-throated based on shorter wings (significantly shorter than tail at rest) and rather pointed primary 10 (more rounded on Black-chinned).

http://losbird.org/188_99nov_fig3.htm

and here's the link to the full article:
http://losbird.org/los_news_188_99nov2.htm

[Bonsaibirder]

Thanks Hirundo,

I'll take a look at that article.

[Hirundo]

I'm less savvy with empidonax but will take a look at your flycatcher later. At first glance I think you're right and it's a Willow/Alder type.

[AveryBartels]

Hi Steve, you're hummer is a Black-chinned. In BC we only get Ruby-throats in the very north, whereas Black-chinneds are a fairly common bird in the southern interior.
Good birding,
Avery

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi Steve, you're hummer is a Black-chinned. In BC we only get Ruby-throats in the very north, whereas Black-chinneds are a fairly common bird in the southern interior.
Good birding,
Avery

Hi Avery,

Thanks for the information. From what you say it sounds like BC is more likely than RT where I saw it, however I am extremely loathed to identify birds based on location alone. Are there any plumage features in these photos which support your identification as Black-chinned?

Cheers,

Steve

[AveryBartels]

Hey Steve,
BC's always strike me as rather long and thin and are quite a bit larger than RT's, your bird give's the impression of being fairly large, long-necked and tailed. Also, they cock their tail way back, at a right angle with the body, as illustrated in one of your pics, whereas RT's don't cock their rail nearly as far.
Good birding,
Avery