This little guy came to our feeder on Aug. 28 with Hurricaine Bill. I think it is a male rufous hummingbird by its reddish brown colouring and ruby throat – not clearly visible in the photo. It stayed around for about three days before he was scared off by our regular ruby-throated feeders. Are they common on the East Coast? – Carol Whipple, Rothesay Carol’s sighting and photo are very exciting! This could be only the second adult male rufous hummingbird ever documented in New Brunswick. The rufous hummingbird is a western species that normally ranges from southwestern Alberta to the Pacific Coast in Canada and south into some of the adjacent northern states. It occurs on the East Coast only as a very rare stray in late summer or autumn. There are two western species that look very similar – the rufous and the less common Allen’s hummingbird of western California. Immature birds are impossible to identify unless one examines the bird in the hand and looks at the shape of certain of the tail feathers. But adult males can be told by the extent of rufous coloration on the back. Since seeing this photo I’ve spoken with Carol and she has confirmed that this bird’s back (not visible in the picture) was extensively rufous, indicating a rufous hummingbird. The N.B. Bird Records Committee will be examining this and other photos that Carol took along with some nice video coverage that should further support its identity. – Jim Wilson