Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The male Ruby-throat, a dainty little atom of a bird, is a bright metallic green above and dull white below with a brilliant, ruby-red throat patch. When the sun hits it at the proper angle,the throat patch, known as a gorges, glitters like a burnt ember. In the shadows, the gorget appears to be black.
The long needle-like bill is used to probe deeply into blossoms of honeysuckle, jewel weed and cardinal flowers as well as domestic gladiolas, nasturtiums and canna lilies. Some nectar is taken but primarily the food consists of minute insects nearly invisible to the eye.
