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Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Description:

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is 7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 in) long and has a 8–11 cm (3.1–4.3 in) wingspan. Weight ranges from 2 to 6 g (0.071 to 0.21 oz), with males averaging 3.4 g (0.12 oz) against the slightly larger female which averages 3.8 g (0.13 oz) Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below, with near-black wings. Their bill is long, straight and very slender. Males have the classic ruby red throat which shines ruby red when the sun hits it at the right angle. If there is a lack of sun, or you see a male at the wrong angle, the throat will appear a very muted red, to nearly black.

Habitat:

Photographed in a backyard garden area. Area is set up to be very wildlife friendly.

Notes:

Spotted in a friends backyard. Photographed while we were visiting. Flower is a cone flower. This hummingbird was rather aggressive and would chase the larger birds off of their feeder, simply because she could. I have witnessed hummingbird fights and have even watched them chase other birds at times. This one took great pleasure in trying to not only chase one, but several birds from the area. All of them were at least twice her size, some much more then that.

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32 Comments (1–25)

jazz.mann
jazz.mann 2 years ago

cool shot. coneflower is very interesting. also known as echinacea, thought to possess many medicinal properties, and after all birds are quite smart.

williefromwi
williefromwi 10 years ago

Thank you so very much, ViorelFlorinSandu

williefromwi
williefromwi 10 years ago

A belated thank you to you, SachindraUmesh and Olivia Chee, I would have thanked you sooner, but the powers that be who redesigned this sight do not think it should be something easy for me to check. Sigh.

ViorelFlorinSandu
ViorelFlorinSandu 10 years ago

Wow!!! Beautiful!!!

SachindraUmesh
SachindraUmesh 11 years ago

epic shot!!! fantastic series!!

Olivia Chee
Olivia Chee 11 years ago

Fantastic shot!

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Thanks Asergio, SeanWeekly and CarolSnowMilne

Sergio Monteiro
Sergio Monteiro 11 years ago

Third photo is fantastic.

SeanWeekly
SeanWeekly 11 years ago

beautiful!

CarolSnowMilne
CarolSnowMilne 11 years ago

One of my favorites flowers I planted. I should spy that plant out today although I haven't seen hummingbirds the last week.

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Thank you so very much Lady Hopz

Brittmonster
Brittmonster 11 years ago

This is beautiful :)

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Thanks Jonathan, I am thrilled you enjoy my efforts to capture the beauty I find around me.

Jonathan Guyot
Jonathan Guyot 11 years ago

Incredible shots ! you have got very pleasant photos

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Thanks so much Dixie

Dixie
Dixie 11 years ago

So pretty.

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Ashish, you are much to kind. I am thrilled I have a place to show off my love for wildlife, and perhaps help others to grow in their love of wildlife too.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

Welcome Willie... Love to see its wing feathers look like fingers in that... most amazing capture I have seen of a Hummingbird... Surely you have made Project Noah very precious....!!

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Thanks Gerry, Azura, and Ashish. Because you suggest the third shot is the best, I have moved it to be the first photo seen Ashish. Thanks for the feedback.

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 11 years ago

3rd shot is most excellent in this fantastic series...

Azura Firdaus W
Azura Firdaus W 11 years ago

Wow Wonderful

GerryBates
GerryBates 11 years ago

Wonderful captures, William!

williefromwi
williefromwi 11 years ago

Thank you Nuwan, Joshua, and Karen for your kind words

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 11 years ago

great capture!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

yeah really good man!

williefromwi
Spotted by
williefromwi

Tomahawk, Wisconsin, United States

Spotted on Jul 22, 2012
Submitted on Jul 25, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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