This article was published originally on 9/29/2010 I have
noticed late this summer that several hummingbirds are visiting
some of the flowers in my garden. I am surprised – partly
because it is late in the season and also because I do not have
any hummingbird feeders set up in my landscape. Two species of
hummingbirds visit Iowa gardens – the ruby-throated hummingbird
and the Rufous hummingbird. The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
is the most colorful since it has a bright red splotch at is
throat. Both the male and female ruby-throated hummingbirds have
an emerald colored back, but the female lacks the red spot on
its throat. The Rufous hummingbird is larger and rufous colored
(or rusty red-brown). This male is predominately rufous colored
on the throat, tail, head, back, and each side with a white
breast. The female Rufous hummingbird also has a white breast
like the male, but unlike the male the female species has a
green head and back and its tail feathers are rufous, tipped
with white. In watching these h