Uncommon visitor: Rare hummingbird sightings draw birders from across US

[douglas9]

McALLEN — Avid birder and author Sheri L. Williamson was lounging in her Bisbee, Arizona, living room this weekend when her husband said the words: “green-breasted mango in McAllen.”

The re-creation of her response can only be described as a yelp of optimism.

To the hummingbird enthusiast, the phrase represented a chance to check off a rare species from the American Birding Association checklist.

This bird hadn’t been spotted in the United States since 2009. Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center urban ecologist John Brush observed the hummingbird Saturday morning and spread word of the green-breasted mango, eventually reaching Williamson’s husband’s Facebook feed.

Williamson delayed booking her flight, fearing the rare-bird sighting would be a one-off.

Sightings continued as at least 45 visitors showed up at the birding center Sunday. By Tuesday, center staff had lost count of guests arriving with hopes of adding the rare bird to their lists.

http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_30f4bcf6-da2c-11e7-b19a-137b6c60fef6.html