Another hummingbird question.

[japple]

For the past week, I've been seeing what I think must be baby hummers in my flower garden at dusk. There are 5 in number, and they are so active that I haven't been able to get a picture of them, plus it's too dark to get a good shot. At first I thought they were some sort of bee or moth, but they don't ever land on the flower heads, they flit and hover just like all hummingbirds. I have seen their little pointy beaks, too. They are about 2" long and have dark wings, and it appears there are stripes on their bodies, which is what made me think they were bees at first. I've been all over the internet trying to find pictures to identify them, to no avail. And I viewed pictures of hummingbird moths, and they're nothing like that.

Any ideas?

[semillama]

1. Do they look like this?

Based on your location, time of year, and description, juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbirds would be my first guess.

[japple]

2. No. I just came in from trying to get another good look

at them, which is very hard because of they way they flit around. There seems to be a bluish tint to their wings, and the bodies appear rusty colored with stripes, resembling bee bodies. I wish I could get a picture.

[semillama]

4. How about this one?

Calliope Hummingbird



or if they are really rust colored - maybe immature Rufous Hummingbirds?

[vireo]

3. Are you sure they aren't moths?

Perhaps this kind?


http://www.birds-n-garden.com/snowberry_clearwing_hummingbird_moths.html

[japple]

5. I looked at that a few days ago, and rejected the notion

because they never land on the flower heads--they flit, dive and swoop like hummingbirds, and I could swear I saw pointy little hummingbird beaks, but after reading this from the site you linked to, I'm starting to wonder.

"The Snowberry Clearwing is very similar to other larger clearwing hummingbird moths. The Snowberry is small and resembles a bumblebee more than a hummingbird but the larger clearwing moths look so much like a hummingbird that it can take a second look for an experienced bird watcher."

My sister will be here Saturday and, if they're still around, I'll get her opinion. BTW, I got new glasses on Tuesday, so I should be seeing better than ever!

[japple]

6. They ARE clearwing moths, although not exactly like

the picture above. I saw them in the full light of day, and it was quite obvious that it wasn't a hummer. Drat, I was hoping for baby hummers. The moths are pretty and quite nice, but not as much fun as hummers.

Thanks.