Winter rbt,s

[Beau]

Finally have went almost through winter with several rbt,s. Very exciting Have a lot of cold weather plants that bloom all winter. The birds look very healthy and seem happy. However i just noticed over a few months that the males throats are orange in color during molt process. Have learned a lot about them and still learning. I have tried feeders all winter and they won't even look at them. Lol. Have also observed them eating bugs, which is very cool 2 see. God bless.

[Joe M]

Beau,
I hope you take a closer look at emerging gorgets of immature hummers and adult males in molt. I have never seen orange coloration on a ruby-throated unless the sun is directly reflecting off their throats but even then it's not a true color but an aberration. More likely to perceive orange in the color of an Allen's or a Rufous-hummingbird.
Insects (protein) are essential to a hummingbirds survival which many folks don't realize but they are always looking for them and another reason that they migrate south since insects die off in cold and freezing temperatures.

[Beau]

Joe, i will send u an article on this. Thanks for the reply. 

[Joe M]

Beau and others following this thread,
The picture is compelling but may not be telling the whole story.
I have read the article (sent via E-mail and for others interested in the topic would offer this blog by Sheri Williamson which addresses this issue.
fieldguidetohummingbirds.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/orange-throated-hummingbirds-not-so-mysterious-after-all/

This is the article that Beau sent which is interesting and it contains 2 updates to it that can be accessed within the Sibley Blog.
www.sibleyguides.com/2011/08/the-mystery-of-the-orange-throated-hummingbirds/