When adult males are not displaying and females are foraging quietly, what identification method becomes paramount?
Answer
Trying to get a clear view of the tail from behind to check for white tips
When visibility of the throat feathers is compromised, such as when females are foraging or flying away, attention must shift to other reliable markers. In these scenarios, relying on the tail feathers becomes paramount for distinguishing between the two species. The key indicator is the presence of conspicuous white tips on the outer tail feathers, which are characteristic of the Black-chinned Hummingbird. Successfully confirming these white tips, even for a fleeting moment as the bird departs, is often the single most decisive clue for identifying the female Black-chinned when the light is uncooperative for gorget observation.
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