Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colibris): A Moment of Quiet at Dusk
Denver Metro Area, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado, Summer
This male Ruby-Throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris, Order Caprimulgiformes, Family Trochilidae) was not "cooperating" as I was trying to take a photo of it as it faced the light. It preferred to perch to the north of where I was standing and simply would not perch to the south of me without immediately flying away. So, a silhouetted hummingbird is all I could capture!
Ruby-Throated hummingbirds are tiny (males being smaller--likely to conserve energy--than the females), with black masks, emerald green crowns, and brilliant/iridescent red throats (gorgets).
They have a high mortality rate in their first year of life. But if they survive the first year, they usually live 3-5 years. Some banded hummingbirds have been found to live 10-11 years.
Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colibris): A Moment of Quiet at Dusk
Denver Metro Area, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado, Summer
This male Ruby-Throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris, Order Caprimulgiformes, Family Trochilidae) was not "cooperating" as I was trying to take a photo of it as it faced the light. It preferred to perch to the north of where I was standing and simply would not perch to the south of me without immediately flying away. So, a silhouetted hummingbird is all I could capture!
Ruby-Throated hummingbirds are tiny (males being smaller--likely to conserve energy--than the females), with black masks, emerald green crowns, and brilliant/iridescent red throats (gorgets).
They have a high mortality rate in their first year of life. But if they survive the first year, they usually live 3-5 years. Some banded hummingbirds have been found to live 10-11 years.