Alright...you are looking at my pictures and saying I wonder why they call these hummingbirds ruby throated? That is because these are either female or juveniles and the male juveniles have to be older to get their pink or ruby colored neck. I have not seen an adult male for a long time here but I hope you enjoy these. I got this information from the internet:Hummingbird: Ageing and sexing hummingbirds can be diificult because young ... However, young males "masquerade" as females until their first winter, at which ... ALL normal Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have metallic green backs, but ... White area below gorget may appear to create a light ring around the bird's neck. Ruby throated hummingbird... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Ruby throated hummingbird... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Look at the beautiful neck area on this bird, to me it looks like a piece of lace... Ruby Throated Hummingbird.. ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Ruby Throated Hummingbird... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Ruby Throated Hummingbird... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Ruby Throated Hummingbird... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
Looks like my hummers. They sure are special little birds. Interesting about the males. I never knew that before.
Tooty2shoes....the rehabber who I took the wounded hummingbird to said she needs a magnifying glass to tell for sure. Then when I called her to see if it would make it, she said it was a female. I am putting more feeders up next year, the front and back yard. Maybe they won't chase one another as much. Sometimes it looks like a game because one sits on the branch watching for the other one.. Ruby Throated Hummingbird... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
First class photographs Sherry. I learn something new almost every day here at GardenStew. Now I know much more than I did about the Ruby Throated Hummingbird thanks to you.
What an education. Thanks I never knew...... I just love to look and look and look. That is a beautiful creature.
Sherry you are so right. I often see one sitting up in a close tree to the feeder. Then swooping in to chase away any other hummers. That is why I put one in the front yard and one in the back. That way one hummer can't monopolize both feeders. For being so small they have a fierce personality.