Rufous Hummingbird

Cornell’s All About Birds

Woodbine. Adult male, Oct 22-Nov 11, 2025. Banded and verified by Bruce Peterjohn.

Adult male on private property well-photographed by many members. The homeowner has been feeding hummingbirds and knew this one was different, so she called Bill Hill, a neighbor, who came over identified it, took a photo on Oct 22, and alerted the Howard County Bird Club Rare Bird Alert coordinator. The first photo is a later one he took on November 4 when he went over to refill the hummingbird feeder. The second photo shows the bird in the hand of the homeowner before she released it.

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

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

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

Immature male

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.

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

Immature female

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

Immature female