Hi Loretta,
I don't want to speak for other birders' ears, but I personally wouldn't claim a Rufous Hummingbird without visual observation of an identifiable male or photos of tail feathers to review. I don't believe that Allen'sand Rufous are separable by call as is - maybe onspectrogram Will let theexperts chime in there.
On the Merlin app - it is an incredible tool, but it is just that, only a tool. One to be used by birders as an aid or suggestion to help guide or verify an observation, but not in place of birders. It is absolutely not foolproof; it can and does include species in error. Species not seen/heard directly by an observer (or definitive photo/audio recording for later review and discussion), I would think should not be reported to a public database. Spotted Towhee and Barn Owl surely aren't inconceivableat the Village Green, but to include in an eBird report just because an app claims it so, I think is irresponsible. I've seen other state RBAs struggling with well-meaning people reporting directly into eBird what their Merlin app claims to hear, without any verifiable observation, and often in error. Hope this helps!
Good birding, --Alex Coffey Pasadena

   
    
     
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