Allen’s Hummingbird — near Leola, Lancaster County; December 12, 2009. Photos by Scott Weidensaul. This bird began visiting the feeder of Debra Raudenbush in late August! It was caught and banded by Scott on December 12th, who verified that it was an adult female Allen’s. This bird represents the 1st record for Pennsylvania!

Here’s is a photo of the spread tail. Note the very narrow, leftmost feather, which is ‘R5’. The ‘R5’ feather on a Rufous is wider than that of an Allen’s. Also note the third feather from the right (the sixth feather from the left), which in this photo represents ‘R2’. Note that there is just the faintest hint of a ‘notch’ on the outer (right) side of the tip of that feather. A Rufous would show a much more noticeable indentation there. You can see why these birds are almost impossible to tell apart in the field.

Allen’s Hummingbird — near Leola, Lancaster County; December 13, 2009. Photos by Geoff Malosh. Here are some of Geoff’s photos of the same bird above.

Allen’s Hummingbird — near Leola, Lancaster County; December 13, 2009. Photos by Bob Moul. Here are some of Bob’s photos of the same bird above.

Allen’s Hummingbird — near Leola, Lancaster County; December 24, 2009. Photos by Howard Eskin. Here are two of Howard’s photos of the bird.