Saturday, August 11, 2018

A Young Male Ruby throated Hummingbird for Saturday Critters

Earlier this week I was watching several hummingbirds feeding at our feeders.  I knew a few of the birds must be newly hatched this year as thier numbers had increased.  I decided ro take some pictures and I noticed a few of the humminbirds had small flecks of red
 at their throats.  I wondered if these birds might be young males?
I decided to see what information I could find online about the full red throat of a male Ruby throated Hummingbirdhummingbird.  I found an informative site at:http://www.rubythroat.org/rthuexternalmain.html#anchor1053301
I discovered that an young male hummingbird does not get a full throat or gorget of red until their first winter.  However near their first summer's end  a young male may start to show  one to several red feathers at its throat.  Ah ha!!  So that is what I had seen with the small flecks of red at their throats They were young male hummingbirds..  I love making small discoveries like this and I decided to share this information today on Eleen's Saturday Critters which can be found at viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot,ca
A Happy weekend and happy natureviewing to everyone folks!
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5 comments:

  1. eileeninmd8:27 AM

    Hello, pretty shots of the Hummer. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.

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  2. ~Lavender Dreamer~9:43 AM

    How neat to see this young one. I'm always curious when I see something a little out of the ordinary too. Great pics!

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  3. Anonymous2:17 PM

    Perfect timing as I saw one at the feeder this morning and was sad as I thought they were blood spots from a hummer inflicted injury. Thanks for the timely information!

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  4. A Colorful World4:47 PM

    Sweet shots of this newcomer!

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  5. Sandpiper (Lin)10:50 PM

    Hi Ann, It's such a treat to see these little feathered wonders. I've never had more than one at a time at a feeder. The male hummingbirds are spectacular. Lin (Sandpiper) :)

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