Howard County Bird Club

A Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society

Rufous Hummingbird

Cornell’s All About Birds

Worthington (Ellicott City) November 26, 2005. Banded and identified by David Holmes & Bruce Peterjohn

Immature female

Photo by Ralph Cullison
Photo by Kevin Heffernan

Woodmark (Ellicott City) November 16, 2013. Banded and identified by David Holmes & Bruce Peterjohn

Immature female

Photo by Joe Hanfman
Photo by Kelsey Wellons
Photo by Russ Ruffing

Toll House (Ellicott City) November 6, 2019–April 5, 2020. Banded and identified by David Holmes & Bruce Peterjohn

Immature male

November 6, 2019 Photo by Kelsey Wellons
November 12, 2019 Photo by Bill Hill
December 26, 2019 Photo by Sarah Romero

In addition to a VIDEO recorded one day after the bird was first identified, there was soon a concerted effort to protect and nurture the bird.

There was overnight shelter nearby, and the homeowner and a dedicated crew insured there was a hummingbird feeder ready and waiting at the crack of dawn—which the bird promptly found on the cold mornings.

Notice the change in plumage over the months.

January 1, 2020 Photo by Mary Lou Clark
January 2, 2020 Photo by Kurt Schwarz
March 9, 2020 Photo by Kurt Schwarz
March 9, 2020 Photo by Kurt Schwarz
March 11, 2020 Photo by Frank Witebsky
March 30, 2020 Photo by Frank Witebsky

Woodmark (Ellicott City), November 10-18, 2022. Identified from photographs.

Adult male (definitive photo) and immature mate (banded & released)