This is the time of year people write to us and say they have lots of tiny, baby hummingbirds at their flowers. Baby humingbirds are about the same size and generally look like the adult female when they leave the nest. What people are really seeing and confusing with a baby hummingbird is pictured here — a Hummmingbird Moth. This species is a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe). These daytime flying moths drink nectar at flowers. We were mesmerized as we watched this one drink nectar from the flowers in our planter.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Baby Hummingbird?
This is the time of year people write to us and say they have lots of tiny, baby hummingbirds at their flowers. Baby humingbirds are about the same size and generally look like the adult female when they leave the nest. What people are really seeing and confusing with a baby hummingbird is pictured here — a Hummmingbird Moth. This species is a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe). These daytime flying moths drink nectar at flowers. We were mesmerized as we watched this one drink nectar from the flowers in our planter.
2 comments:
Thanks for putting this up. I indeed thought it was and odd-looking baby hummingbird, although I'd never seen one with antennae. I also thought it odd that it didn't fly away when I got close.
Gosh same thing thought it was a baby hummingbird... what a delight..
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