Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2021

Jenn Megyesi -
Kevin Tolan -

overcast with a light breeze, temps in the high-60s/low-70s, only interesting weather event recently that could have conceivably pushed this bird so far north is Tropical Storm Nicholas last week, though other methods of vagrancy are certainly possible

Nikon Monarch 8x42 binoculars
viewfinder of Nikon D7000 w/ 300mm lens

Not on my radar at all as a species I'd expect to see in VT. But some familiarity with this species from looking at reports of other instances of vagrancy around the US.

large property off small dirt road with plentiful gardens and open spaces, surrounded by hardwood forest

Most notably, the violetear was repeatedly dive-bombed by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and vocalized often during these interactions. The violetear seemed to have a ‘favorite’ perch in a nearby lilac bush, and would zip back and forth from this perch to the hummingbird feeder on the side porch of the house every 10-15 minutes or so. Feeding visits would be quick, 5-10 sec.

Recorded. Quick, dry, staccato chips, usually 2-4 notes.

First noticed by Vicki S. at her home hummingbird feeder on 9/18/21, first reported to Vermont eBird by Vicki on 9/22/21 at 7:14am. Due to some original confusion about the location, it took next-level detective work by Jenn Megyesi to track down the actual location of this bird. Jenn reached out to Vicki and received permission for a small group of 3 birders (herself, myself, and Kevin T.) to come see the bird on the morning of 9/23/21. Vicki was extremely kind and welcoming, and understandably did not want hordes of birders descending on her quiet, small backroad.

We arrived ~6:30am and waited on the side porch for no more than 15 minutes before the hummingbird made its first appearance. Favoring a nearby lilac bush, the bird would routinely perch in the open on the lilac, and was occasionally dive-bombed by a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The bird would visit the single hummingbird feeder around every 10-15 minutes, and would even come to the feeder when Vicki was standing motionless less than an arm’s length away!

Seen briefly in comparison with a RTHU. The violetear was noticeably larger and longer-winged, with a distinctly downcurved bill.

Iridescent green forehead, nape, crown, and throat. Iridescent violet auriculars and chin. Small white spot behind eye.

Both black, no thick feathering around feet. Bill downcurved.

Iridescent green

Iridescent green

Nearly reaching tail tip when perched. Iridescent green coverts, primaries brownish.

Iridescent violet-colored breast band, iridescent green upper breast and flanks, buffy undertail coverts.

Blue above and below with black subterminal band.

The following species were ruled out based on the following criteria:
Rivoli’s Hummingbird - no deep-black plumage on the head or breast, no purple crown, no white feathering around the legs, no large white postocular spot
Lesser Violetear - breast band large and same color as auriculars, no known vagrancy to the US
Sparkling Violetear - violet breast rather than belly, no known vagrancy to the US

ould not determine age nor sex. Extremely grateful to Vicki S. for spotting and originally photographing the bird, and for inviting us to her property, and to Jenn Megyesi for successfully tracking down and reaching out to Vicki after some original confusion in regards to the location of this sighting.