: I didn't find the other picture convincing. These give a good enough view of the wings to see that it is a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
:
: The most reliable way to tell them apart is the wing shape. Black-chinned's have a paddle-shape, whereas Ruby-throated's have a knife-shape. There's also more curve to the Black-chinned's wing.
I agree with John, the bird is a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, not a Black-chinned Hummingbird. The bill is not long enough and not curved enough. Another way to tell is the tip of the wings; P10 is the same width as P9 on a Black-chinned. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a narrower wing tip, thinner than P9. P10 is the outer most primary feather, P9 is the next primary feather inline, etc. etc. I have posted a photo of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird that looks almost like a Black-chinned when you see the wings. The bill is not long enough or curved enough for a Black-chinned Hummingbird. It also did not pump its tail while in flight like a Black-chinned Hummingbird does.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
:
Look at the wing tips on this photo of the same bird above, P10 is narrower than P9, this makes it a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
:
I took this photo at Fairchild Tropical Gardens the bird was perched in the Chinese Hat Plant.
Larry Manfredi
Homestead, FL.
E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net
http://www.southfloridabirding.com