Don't know which one.

[marilynh]

There was a little hummer that just came to my yard. Not sure what type he/she is. All I could see was green on his back. Didn't stay but about 1 min. Was very suprised to see this little hummer as I thought they had all migrated for the year. Am going to put a feed out to see if I can get him/her to come back.

[Steve Backes]

Marilyn,

I try to never say never, especially when speaking of where and when a hummingbird may be found.

It is very unlikely to find one down your way in the summer but they have been found nesting throughout the state. A Ruby-throated was reported on a nest yesterday at Corkscrew Swamp. I believe one was reported nesting in Naples within the past few years and I know that they've been reported around Miami as well.

I'm not aware of any reports of multiple birds nesting in any region south of Tampa. Nor am I aware of any of these regions with annual reports of breeding birds. But, anything is possible.

You may also be seeing the dispersal of young from some not too distant nesting.

[marilynh]

I am hoping that he will pay a return visit. The firebush he came to yesterday is in full blooms as well as some salvia. I did also put out a feeder close to the flowers hoping this will encourage a visit.

[jodyjazz]

Hi,
I just recently moved to the south east corner of Hernando in the woods. I put my first hummingbird feeder out one day and had hummingbirds the next.........I am so happy. They are tiny and do not appear to be the Ruby throated ones most talked about here......so what other kinds are there??
Jody

[Steve Backes]

Jody,

I'm assuming that you don't think they're Ruby-throateds because you're not seeing any red. Only the adult males have the red gorget (throat). The adult females and they young birds lack any color on the throat. If you're seeing green above and white (light) below you're probably still seeing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Most of the "new" birds being seen now are the young that fledged this summer.

Visit the species page at floridahummingbirds.net to view pictures of different ages and sexes of each species of hummingbird that have been recorded in Florida. Here's a link to that page www.floridahummingbirds.net/10201.html

[deladuchesse]

Hi everyone, I saw my first hummingbird in my yard last week, and am so happy to find this forum. I have a feeder out and the little hummer reappeared last night, actually chirped once, and sat on a bare branch in my white weeping hibiscus arbor for several minutes doing a bit of grooming. Of course tonight when I went out to find him/her with my camera, I only got one brief glimpse. I do not see any color and am presuming it is a female Rufous. Hope it stays around for awhile.

[Steve Backes]

Hi Deladuchesse,

Did you see a strong rufous coloration on the bird? I'm patiently (well not so patiently) watching for the return of a female Rufous who has wintered in my yard for the past 7 years. She'll be at least eight years old if she returns this year. Most of those years, she's arrived during this week, between the 9th and the 15th of August.

Rufous hummingbirds could be migrating in anytime but the "expected" birds are Ruby-throateds. Young Ruby-throateds can have some light rusty coloration on their flanks that may lead to some believe they are Rufous. The Rufous will have strong cinnamon coloration on its flanks and will also have some in the tail.

Hopefully, it stays around and you'll be able to get better looks at it (along with photos).

Steve

[deladuchesse]

Hi Steve,

Well, much excitement in the yard this week! We are being visited by three small, dark little hummers, one with a definite red glint to its feathers, but they zoom around so fast I am having trouble getting an image. The original larger bird continues to return, and pictures are below from a few minutes ago. I am wondering if it is a female ruby-throated due to the definite green back - what do you think? Thanks for all your help, and it's back out to the arbor again tonight with camera in hand!

[Steve Backes]

It looks like on the photo on the right that the bird has a fair amount of spotting/streaks on the throat. That would seem to indicate a young male. The females will have an almost clear throat with little to no stippling (streaks). The red that you see is likely the first gorget feathers growing in an a young male.

For the most part, I'm seeing only young males in my yard. I've had one out of at least 5 or 6 that may have been a female but I couldn't say for sure. I've yet to see an adult bird so far this season.

Steve

[heliobird]

Hello , nice site on fla hummers , seeing rufous hummers here in jupiter, florida for about 2 weeks now hanging around the feeders , hope they stay, probably enroute to Mexico as it cools off here.

[heliobird]

A good place to watch hummer migration , Chisos mountains near the lodge in Big Bend nat'l park, around March-April as they come back from Mexico, also Christmas mountain in the Ft Davis Mountain range as well. Private tours available thru the Terlingua,tx outfitters..topshelf outfit.

[Steve Backes]

Hello , nice site on fla hummers , seeing rufous hummers here in jupiter, florida for about 2 weeks now hanging around the feeders , hope they stay, probably enroute to Mexico as it cools off here.

heliobird,

Do you mean Ruby-throated hummingbirds? Rufous is possible but much less likely. I've heard of very few reports of Rufous so far this year.

Steve