Male Juvenile Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Juvenile male ruby throated hummingbird hovering this hummingbird is from 7 to 9 cm 2 8 to 3 5 in long and has an 8 to 11 cm 3 1 to 4 3 in wingspan.

Male juvenile female ruby throated hummingbird.

Like the male the upperparts of the female ruby throated hummingbird are a shimmery. Like the male ruby throated hummingbird a white spot is easily visible behind the female s dark eye. The differences in male female and juvenile ruby throated hummingbirds are subtle but if you know what to look for you can identify between the three fairly easily. The male ruby throated hummingbird does indeed have a striking red throat though the female of the species does not.

Weight can range from 2 to 6 g 0 071 to 0 212 oz with males averaging 3 4 g 0 12 oz against the slightly larger female which averages 3 8 g 0 13 oz. You would have to look quickly to see either however as. A flash of green and red the ruby throated hummingbird is eastern north america s sole breeding hummingbird. Keep in mind that from the beginning to the middle of the hummingbird season mid april to mid july you won t be seeing any juvenile birds.

The auriculars of the female ruby throated hummingbird are distinctly gray though the amount of gray coloration can vary this contrasts well with the pale throat and green head. These brilliant tiny precision flying creatures glitter like jewels in the full sun then vanish with a zip toward the next nectar source. Feeders and flower gardens are great ways to attract these birds and some people turn their yards into buzzing clouds of hummingbirds each summer. However young males masquerade as females until their first winter at which time they attain adult male plumage.