6 replies to this topic

[rogerVA]

I saw this impossibly tiny bird today after work here in Central Virginia. I saw some movement on a bit of brush and then saw what looked almost like a big beetle, but what I hoped was a bird. Luckily I was able to get this image after enlarging a photo. Is this a female (or juvenile) ruby-throated?

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Looks good for a Juvie or Female Ruby-Throat. There isn't a good way to distinguish the two in the field, as far as I know.

[BarnSwallow]

Agree with BillyPilgrim. The ruby-throated is the only hummingbird you're likely to see in VA.

[rogerVA]

Thanks kindly. Only seen two hummingbirds since I started watching the birds. Both times I was amazed at their smallness.

[Aveschapines]

Thanks kindly. Only seen two hummingbirds since I started watching the birds. Both times I was amazed at their smallness.

Ruby-Throated Hummers are really tiny. We have others here that are MUCH bigger.

[BarnSwallow]

Then there are some that are even tinier! That's a good pic of one, by the way. They're hard to get pics of!

[Aveschapines]

Yeah, we have some of them too. I believe our tiniest is the Wine-Throated. I was lucky enough to see several on the 2010 Christmas Bird Count in Antigua, Guatemala. See the great images here:

http://www.cayaya-birding.com/