Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird; This picture was captured by Emily Thomer

(Entry #5) Well, so that break was a little longer than expected. There were tests and building projects and all sorts of stuff. But in the meantime, my assistant photographer Emily has got some pictures of the beautiful ruby-throated hummingbird!

Obviously they are hummingbirds, Trochilidae. They are also ruby-throated and black-chinned hummingbirds, the genus Archilocus. And their species name is Archilocus colubris.

Most ruby-throated hummingbirds have ruby throats, but some actually have black throats, which is important. The above picture is an example. They are small, cute, green birds, with a little bit of white under their throats. They are supposed to be sexually dimorphic, but right now I have once again already gone right into this hummingbird before actually studying them very well. And don't forget the long narrow beak.

They might be common, but they are hard to find, even worse to get pictures of. Even though their wings cause the buzzing sound you hear when they are around, they can still fly without making much sound, and be stealth hummingbirds. 

They do apparently prefer red or pink flowers, liking fire pinks and crape-myrtles. Of course, these birds, I can tell you, eat nectar from flowers, perhaps less often and more wide-spread than a bee. A bee will go from flower to flower, while a hummingbird might take some from one and go off, for example. I think. Uh-oh.

Also, I have heard that there is a myth that hummingbirds do not perch. That is not true, as is proved by the gallery.

How do you tell them apart from a Costa's hummingbird? Costa's hummingbirds have purple faces. Wow, I am so bad with this identification thing now. Anyway, have a gallery.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER EMILY THOMER.