Male or Female Ruby-throat?

A lot of "hummingbirders" I've talked to always have difficulty in telling the male Ruby throat apart from the female. Other than the glaring obvious red throat when it's facing you, they can look fairly similar with the olive head and back. Even the same male can demonstrate different appearances under different circumstances. A relaxed adult male will have its tail feathers tightly tucked together to form a single point, without any white on the feathers. In the male imaged, he is demonstrating a bit of anger with his tail split apart. Notice there is still no white on the tail feathers. Just understand that a relaxed adult male will have the pointed tail, and the angrier he is the wider the "V" will appear. Females and juveniles will always have a white tip on the tail. 2015, N.E. of Edmonton, AB.

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