Although we get Ruby-throated Hummingbirds coming through the garden in spring, they then become scarce until the autumn migration starts to kick in. Recently two splendid males have been in attendance, not quite politely taking turns at the feeder but running some sort of unofficial shift system. That has now changed with the arrival of a few immature birds, not well-versed in feeder etiquette. I counted five different birds yesterday and it was non-stop mayhem as they tried to use the one feeder. There was only one option, now there are another four feeders but still they squabble.
It was great to be able to get a good look at them and at such close quarters, even if the duration was sometime less than a few seconds. Naturally I waved the camera at them and kept trying for that perfect image. It didn’t happen but I did get some shots that are not too terrible. One individual had a fair bit of rufous on the underparts but the tail remained ruby-throated through and through, even though it appeared to have warm tones at the base when spread.
The three different birds in the shots all appear to be immature males judging by the fine throat streaking.
QCbirding Blog 