I haven’t had much luck this year in photographing an adult male Ruby throated Hummingbird sporting those crimson namesake feathers. That being said, I’ve seen a large number juveniles this summer and have been lucky to be there in the right place and the right time to catch a few with my lens.

During the early days of autumn, with so many green and white tiny birds zipping around, it kinda looks like we’ve got a ton of female Ruby throated Hummingbirds flying around in central N.C.
Yet, if you look carefully at their face and throats, you’ll realize that although Juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds look similar to their mothers, there are some details that you’ll notice which can help you tell them apart.

Juvenile males like this sharp looking bird have the same gray feathers on their cheeks that their mothers have, but the gray color is subtle and less extensive in this area. It also shows more green coloring that will gradually darken to a deeper hue as they molt out into their mature plumage.

While females have very faint gray streaks on their white throat, juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have much bolder streaks and distinct spots that will gradually show the red iridescence characteristic of their fathers.
Young males may even show a couple of red spots on the feathers near the base of their throats. As the juvenile Ruby- throats mature, those spots will eventually become a full, boldly colorful gorget worthy of their famous name 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame DSLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds