Ruby Throat Male!

20 years ago

It has been a summer of female hummers. Early on we had a Black Chinned male but seems the ladies took over our gardens.

Today I noticed a hummer on our largest lantana in the front flowerbed when there was a flash of orange/red at his throat. I was so excited to finally have a male visit. Called my husband to come and look but he was gone. I'm hoping he returns tomorrow!

I have one female who really protects her food source. She appears to take ownership of the Flame Acanthus in our front bed very serious, LOL. She has taken to sitting in the top of the largest lantana keeping watch for any other hummer.

A day or two ago she chased a hummer out of the FA, the poor thing took cover in a crepe myrtle. Flame Acanthus sheriff starts swinging like a very large pendilum; large swinging movements as tall as the neighbors pecan tree on one side and as tall as our pecan on the other side. She did this until the hummer left our yard then she went to her lantana.

Peggy

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Comments (7)

ltcollins1949
20 years ago
Peggy,

I was wondering about what you said about the gorget color being orange/red. Might it possible be a Rufous rather than a ruby-throat? The Rufous have an orange-red neck. The Ruby Throat has more of an iridescent red throat.

I was just wondering because sometimes they can be mistaken for one another.
west_texas_peg
Original Author
20 years ago
I'm pretty sure it was a RT. One Labor Day weekend several years ago we sat in our drive, taking photos of the hummers on our feeders. There were more than usual and were very active at the feeders with several RT males. Looking at them through the lens of the camera, when the sun hit them their throat was very iridescent orange instead of ruby red (probably the way the sun was hitting). Have never seen a Rufus, thus far just Black Chinned and RT.

This site has one photo that is nearly like our hummer.
http://www.drjoephoto.com/rubyindex.htm
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ltcollins1949
20 years ago
Peggy!

Thanks! RT Hummers Great pictures!

I do hope you get to see a Rufous one day! I call them little UT (University of Texas) birds because of their "burnt orange" color just like UT's color!

Also if you want to see how many RT's I have here today, check out website: Hummers September 9, 2006.
west_texas_peg
Original Author
20 years ago
I'm hooting and hollering for UT right now! Wish I could give them some good luck. New QB is from just up the road from us. DH is hoping he has a great season!

I need something to view your RT, will ask my son what I need to do.

You are near the coast, right? I think that would be so very neat. I've had 4 all summer, think they were all females or young ones. Had BC male early in season so was surprised to see the RT. I always had RT in past years (we just moved back to our hometown after being gone 7 yrs) but this lil guy is the first I have seen since we moved back in 2003.

I do not have feeders up but have lots of flowers. Large # of Lady in Red Salvia which the bees are working like there is no tomorrow.

Peggy
ltcollins1949
20 years ago
We had a dinner party tonight and watched the game. It was sad!
hey_wilson
20 years ago
I'm going to contact Texas A&M and see if they will develop a maroon throated hummingbird. They do it all the time for plant species!
west_texas_peg
Original Author
20 years ago
hey wilson,

My husband is Mr. Wilson!

My son is a big Aggie fan...he would definitely be watching for the lil darling.

Peggy