Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SoyJames on August 12, 2009 at 4:34pm

I do believe those are "hawk moths". The think the larvae are tomato worms.... ewww

Permalink Reply by Beverly on August 16, 2009 at 6:15am

You're right...I'd heard that as well and just found a link to confirm. Here ya go

Good bugging...I mean birding
Beverly

Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on August 12, 2009 at 4:39pm

It is probably a Sphinx Moth. I remember my old Peterson birding guide actually had a sketch of the moth in the hummingbird section as a identification caution. I thought, "that's silly, who would mistake a moth for a hummingbird?" Then I saw my first Sphinx Moth and realized how easy it would be to mistake one in poor light or at a distance.

I believe some folks do call them Hummingbird Moths or even Hawk Moths. You can also get lots of info via Google search.

Permalink Reply by Bridgett on August 12, 2009 at 7:45pm

Not to worry! I have been seeing alot of those little guys. They do look like hummingbirds!

Permalink Reply by Dave on August 12, 2009 at 7:55pm

Thanks everyone. Now that I had a chance to look at pictures on wikipedia and other sources, I can confirm it is definitely one of these. Curious, I have lived here (NM) for 7 years and don't think I had seen one before. I wonder if I did see one, and maybe thought it was a hummingbird baby?

Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on August 12, 2009 at 8:07pm

(Pssst. You are not going to see hummingbird babies unless they are still in the nest. By the time they are out, they are essentially full-size.)

Permalink Reply by Dave on August 13, 2009 at 9:25am

I found a youtube that shows the exact same color moths I saw...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7SF8_OhHks