This past fall (1987), a Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) appeared at the feeder of Joe and Susan Kopnicky of Hokes Bluff “about mid-October” but was not immediately recognized because of its similarity to the female Ruby-throated hummers also using the feeder. By late October only the Rufous remained and by December it had acquired its distinctive rufous plumage. During the winter months the bird survived temperatures dipping into the teens and a seven inch snow that lingered for a week. As spring approached the bird continued to transform into its first nuptial plumage, resplendent with an iridescent orange gorget. It was last seen on 31 March. Last winter (1986-87) another Rufous
Hummingbird overwintered in Tuscaloosa.
Author: Joe and Susan Kopincky
Volume Number: 35 Year Published: 1988
Issue Number: 1
Page Number: 12
Link to article: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/1988/Vol 35 No. 1_1988_p12.pdf
Link to the full issue of BirdLife: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/1988/Vol 35 No. 1_1988.pdf
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