All ruby-throated fledglings look similar to the adult female when they leave the nest. Now, some people are seeing juvenile males with their first red throat feathers. Young males will complete the molt on the wintering grounds and then sport a red throat for the first time.
"We have one juvenile male with the beginning of a gorget. It's the first immature male we've seen with any ruby feathers. He showed up mid-day and guarded the feeders for about 4 hours."
King George, Virginia 09/04/14
Kenneth Drake Willis, Texas 10/06/13
