ON THE FIELD IDENTIFICATION OF CALIFORNIA HUMMINGBIRDS

Abstract

Adult males of the seven species of California hummingbirds can be quite easily distinguished on the basis of information given in current field guides. However, females and immatures of several species have long presented great difficulties in field identification. Most current field guides, including those of Peterson (1961), do not attempt to distinguish between females of certain species, and immatures are scarcely mentioned. Moreover, one recently-published guide (Robbins, et al., 1966) contains an extraordinary number of inaccurate or misleading statements and illustrations.