We've been living here for 10 years watching what we though were Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. We put feeders out every spring and love watching them flying around. Imagine my surprise to discover that we don't have Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. We have a sub-species called the Southern Red-Necked Hummingbird! How do I know? Because last year my SIL gave us this very pretty feeder for Christmas (I know it was my SIL and not my brother because he would given us a Lowes gift card or forgotten all together - not that there's anything wrong with a Lowes gift card mind you but this was a thoughtful and personalized gift) and the hummingbirds won't touch it! 
I even tried to trash it up for them with some bright red ribbon and then still will not get near it. The feeder that used to hand in this spot was their favorite. Now they are all over this one on the right. I only had to wait about 10 minutes to get this photo. See the red neck? You heard it here first. It's a new species!
I captured that photo using my continuous shooting mode on my camera. Thanks to Sue's Friday camera lessons I may actually learn to use some of the features of this fancy camera! While waiting for the hummingbird, I got this shot of a butterfly trying to break into my house. I was about 8 feet away.
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I love hummingbirds and have 3 feeders out but I have not had many come to visit so far - some years we have a lot of them and then a year like last year when they were few and far between.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Posted by: Karen | June 07, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I love it! We could get Southern Red-Necked Hummers too if my BIL Ronnie gave us a feeder! What a great reference site -- am definitely bookmarking!
Posted by: Sue H | June 07, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I've never heard of those hummingbirds. I'll have to ask my daughter in NC if she has them.
The butterfly is beautiful. I have only seen one unremarkable one so far this season.
Posted by: Wanda | June 07, 2009 at 01:42 PM
I love you bird reports, especially when you get a surprising new addition. Going to check our Etsy shop too!
Posted by: Suzanne | June 07, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Ooh! Love hummers! I get them all year round...and this year, I'm also getting orioles at the hummer feeders!
Posted by: Candied Fabrics | June 07, 2009 at 05:18 PM
That's the hummingbird that we get at my feeder here in MA. He comes by the feeder several times throughout the day.
Posted by: sue b | June 07, 2009 at 05:20 PM
This is so funny! When I saw the pic, my jaw dropped. It is the feeder that we got at Goodwill years ago and our Hummers love it!
Posted by: Carol | June 07, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Those hummingbirds just don't have taste when it comes to fine restaurants:)
Posted by: Carol | June 07, 2009 at 07:28 PM
LOL. Too funny. The butterfly is beautiful!
Posted by: Summerset | June 08, 2009 at 07:36 AM
I think that hummingbirds like the bright colors since they buzz flowers for nectar. Why not try spray painting it bright red on the metal parts? That might help.
Southern Red Neck? Are you jerking my chain???
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | June 08, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Hummingbirds like red. Use red food colouring in your sugar/water mixture. They'll be there very quickly. Give it whirl!
Posted by: Stacey, not Tracey | June 08, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Oh that is NEAT!!
Posted by: Lori in SD | June 09, 2009 at 03:53 AM
OK, what's the difference between a red neck and ruby throated?? I have them too and now I'm wondering what I've been looking at this whole time?? Off to get my bird book...
Posted by: Susan Elliott | June 09, 2009 at 06:39 AM
A new species, how cool is that? I was wondering why they don't like the dark feeder... Is it the color?
Posted by: Tany | June 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM