Indiana Man Catches Video of a Beautiful and Rarely Seen Hummingbird Moth

I promise I am not trying to be hyperbolic when I say this will be one of the most interesting things you will see today - not all week, month, or year, but definitely today. I feel confident making that statement because the beautiful creature below is rarely seen in person. How rare? Well, I'm almost 50 years old and I have never seen one. Let me introduce you to the hummingbird moth.

Is It a Bird or an Insect?

Almost everything about the hummingbird moth suggests it is more hummingbird than moth - its shape, the way it flies and hovers over flowers, the "hum" sound that its wings make, and even the way it eats and drinks. It is not a bird, however, it is a big ol' moth. Hummingbird moths can also sometimes be confused for bumblebees, which makes sense too.

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Jeff Scott was lucky enough to capture one of these elusive creatures on video in his Evansville garden.

Hummingbird Moths Are Common But Rarely Seen

Although hummingbird moths are fairly common throughout North America, they are not commonly seen. I don't think I've ever seen one before this video, but I do think it's possible to see one and not realize that's what you're seeing. There is certainly a chance that I've seen a hummingbird moth, but just assumed it was a "regular" hummingbird - which is a cool experience every time, by the way.

How to Tell Hummingbird Moths Apart from Hummingbirds

Sure, the hummingbird moth and hummingbird have a lot of similarities, but they have even more differences. Now that you know some are flying around Evansville, here are some ways to differentiate between the two. [thespruce.com]

• Size: hummingbird moths are smaller, about half the size, of hummingbirds.
• Antennae: hummingbird moths have long antennae - hummingbirds do not.
• Mouth/Bill: hummingbirds have a long, pointy bill, whereas hummingbird moths do not have a bill at all. The moth's mouth is longer and is curled up when they aren't using it.
• Legs: the hummingbird moth is an insect, so it's gonna have six legs - the hummingbird is a bird, so it's gonna have two legs. A hummingbird's legs are tucked away during flight, but the moth's legs, especially towards the front, are much more noticeable.

Do you think you've ever seen a hummingbird moth? I bet you'll be on the lookout for them now, won't you? Next time you see a hummingbird, you're gonna stop and give it a second look, aren't you? I know I sure will.