Species Profile
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Ruby-throat, Ruby-throated Hummer
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Appearance
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a tiny, iridescent green bird with a slender black bill and a forked tail. Males display a brilliant ruby-red throat patch, which can appear black in poor light.
Females and juveniles lack the red throat, instead showing a white throat and underparts. Both sexes have grayish-white flanks and a slightly darker forked tail with white tips on the outer feathers.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Female Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Male Markings
Males have bright red throats
Tail: Short and slightly forked
Female Markings
Lack of ruby-red throat patch
Tail: White-tipped
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are found in eastern North America, from central Canada to the Gulf Coast. They inhabit deciduous and pine forests, orchards, gardens, and urban areas with flowering plants.
During winter, they migrate to Central America and the Caribbean. In the United States, they are common from spring to early fall, with some individuals overwintering in the southern coastal areas.
Distribution
Diet
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowers, using their long bills and specialized tongues. They also consume small insects and spiders for protein, often catching them in mid-air or plucking them from vegetation.
These birds require frequent feeding due to their high metabolism.
Behaviour
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are known for their incredible flying abilities, including hovering and flying backwards. They are solitary and fiercely territorial, often seen chasing away other hummingbirds or even larger birds from feeding areas.
These birds have a high metabolism and must feed frequently, visiting up to 1,000 flowers daily.
Calls & Sounds
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds produce a variety of high-pitched chirps, squeaks, and twitters. Their vocalizations include a soft 'chee-dit' when feeding and a more aggressive 'tik-tik-tik' when defending territory.
The rapid beating of their wings creates a distinctive humming sound, which gives hummingbirds their name.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from late spring to early summer. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, flying in U-shaped patterns to attract females.
Females construct tiny, cup-shaped nests using plant fibers, spider silk, and lichen on slender tree branches. They typically lay two white, pea-sized eggs.
Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, and nestlings fledge after 18-22 days. Females may raise two broods per season, with males playing no role in nesting or chick-rearing.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds face threats from habitat loss and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving nectar corridors along migration routes and encouraging the planting of native flowering plants in gardens and urban areas.
Population
Estimated: 36,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Increasing[2]
The population has been increasing over the last five decades
Elevation
Up to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 1.3cm x 0.8cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include domestic cats, small hawks, praying mantises, and large spiders. Blue Jays and other birds may prey on eggs and nestlings.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, high-pitched trills
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Throughout the day
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss
- Parental care:
- Female cares for young alone
- Primary calls:
- Soft chirping sounds
- Social habits:
- Solitary, except during mating season
- Egg appearance:
- White
- Feeding habits:
- Feeds on the wing, hovering in front of flowers to sip nectar
- Breeding season:
- Spring to summer
- Diet variations:
- Also eats small insects and spiders
- Fledging period:
- 18-22 days
- Average lifespan:
- 4
- Call description:
- Rapid, high-pitched chirps
- Daily activities:
- Feeds on nectar and insects throughout the day
- Nesting location:
- Trees or shrubs
- Number of broods:
- Up to three
- Incubation period:
- 12-14 days
- Nest construction:
- Small cup of plant down and spider silk, covered in lichens
- Migration patterns:
- Migrates to Central America in winter
- Migratory patterns:
- Migrates to Central America in winter
- Age related changes:
- None
- Prey capture method:
- Hovers in front of flowers to sip nectar
- Conservation efforts:
- None specific, benefits from nectar plantings
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends feeding territories
- Reproductive behavior:
- Males perform courtship display
- Special dietary needs:
- Requires high energy diet due to rapid wing beats
- Clutch characteristics:
- 1-3 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Aggressively defends feeding territory
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them near nectar-rich flowers or hummingbird feeders
- Listen for their high-pitched squeaks and the distinctive hum of their wings
- Observe their hovering behavior and rapid darting movements
- In the eastern United States, watch for them from spring to early fall
Did You Know?
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can fly at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (around 48 km/h).
- They can cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single 20-hour flight during migration.
- Their hearts can beat up to 1,260 times per minute during flight.
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