That will narrow down the possibilities.

South western Pennsylvania.

Ask the Birders.

It puzzled us until we got on the computer.

I was so bummed when Ted Cruz shut down the government and I could not access this site. Who says the government doesn't do anything well. I find in most cases it does a lot better than capitalism. Or at least capitalism want more money from you than its worth.
-Airplane

More to follow!

As caterpillars they're tomato hornworms.

have ground squirrels running around.

also known as a Sphinx moth:

I've only seen one once when we still lived downstate and was enthralled with it. They're so tiny and seem to act more like a hummingbird than a moth.

We often see these rascals show up first and are disappointed to find out that they are moths instead of birds. But I agree; they are amazing in their own right. I see them in my flower garden often.

So that's probably why it came to visit. I've wanted my bigger gardens and herbs up here since we moved but it's been one thing after another so not yet but with a bit of luck maybe next year. I thought maybe they didn't come up this far north but I did a quick Google and if they go up to Alaska they're probably up here too.

I remember thinking it was a baby hummingbird until I got close enough to really get a good look at it. Once I did I immediately went inside and did an id search on the web since ID never seen one before or if I had I probably assumed it was a hummer.

They will visit you if you invite them with plants and feeders. The plants not only produce nectar but attract small bugs that the hummingbirds need for protein. Here are the most reliable links I know of about hummingbirds or any birds. They are a conglomerate of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/


http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

have a couple Ruby throats who visit (although I'd love more). I just love sitting on the front porch and watching them. Sometimes I'll softly talk to them and I get such a kick when one comes up close to look at me almost like they're saying hi or such.

hummingbirds is controversial, and actually not needed. The red of the feeder is more than adequate The red dye is harmless marketing at best, and harmful to the birds at worst.

I've had hummingbirds for years at all my residences, and use feeders that are glass and green with just a hint of red at the nipple. They find the feeders easily.

A mix of 1/4 sugar and 3/4 water works great.

do not be surprised to see a hummingbird at those flowers. I have been through this.

Last edited Sun Jul 9, 2017, 12:03 AM - Edit history (1)

which will devour your tomatoes.

all animates and inanimates have equal rights, and there is probably some level of consciousness out there somewhere disapproving of Us eating whatever we eat, too.

Hummingbirds belong to the Americas and surrounding islands. My European and Asian friends are jealous.

That just made me laugh so hard...

Good one...

Looks and acts like a hummingbird but is actually a bug.

This whole thread is fascinating! I love birdies. We didn't have a successful hatching this year for the Black Phoebes, unfortunately. We do have hummingbirds though, and respectable-size moths, but I've never seen a hummingbird moth before!

Did you know hummingbird eggs are the size of peas? One takeaway I still remember from a grade school report I did on hummingbirds.

Thanks for posting, yortsed snacilbuper! And I love your screen name!

That's the first Hummingbird moth I've ever seen, I hope the gardeners will plant a few extra tomatoes for them.

Hummingbird feeders and catch and kill the humming birds. Kind if made me sick. I love humming birds.

I have seen hawk moths on. Butterfly bushes . They are really interesting.

On my front yard feeder several years ago. I moved him off the feeder when I took the dog out for a walk, he he was right back up there
when we returned. Moved him again, farther away and didn't see him return.

When we lived in Nebraska (Lincoln) I saw a hummingbird moth at a planter full of impatiens next to our patio sliding door one day. It was fascinating to watch. Have never seen one here in Chapel Hill, NC. We have too much shade in the summer for many flowers.

They were.imported for insect control.
I see them around gardens here in KC once in a while.

I love my hummingbirds.