| General Comments |
Accidental. There are two state records of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird: an immature male was banded and photographed at a feeder near Gibsonville (Guilford), 13 Nov 2001 - 20 Apr 2002* [Chat 69:105-107 link]; and an immature female was banded and photographed at a feeder in northwestern Union from 25 Nov - 7 Dec 2023* [Chat 88:7 link], [Chat 88:55 link]. Considering the double-digit records for the even more westerly breeding Calliope Hummingbird, and several records for the highly unlikely Green Violetear, it is very surprising that only two state records have surfaced of Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Though females and immature males can certainly be confused with Rufous Hummingbirds, and all ages and sexes can even be overlooked as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to inexperienced observers, the species is likely being overlooked at feeders. |
