(Click on picture to enlarge)
Photographs - © Walter Bauer
Field Marks: Hummingbird's are the
tiniest of all bird's; iridescent, with long needle like bills for sipping from
flowers. The Ruby-throat is by far the most numerous hummingbird in the east
half of Texas. Both sexes are bright shining green above. The males (as in the
picture) has a glowing red throat, black forked tails. The females have white
throats, rounded, white tipped tails.
Voice: Male in display swings like a
pendulum through the air in a wide arc, each swing accompanied by a hum. The
sound is high pitched almost mouse like.
Where found: South Canada, south to
Gulf States. (Mar-May Sept-Dec) through eastern two thirds of state west to
Pecos River and Panhandle. Casual in the Trans Pecos. Winters occasionally along
coast and is a regular visitor to Brownsville. Breeds in the North, East and
central Texas; west to the Edwards Plateau; south to central coast.