Archilochus colubris

Family: Trochilidae

Order: Apodiformes

Where can I find it?

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird ranges from Alberta to the East coast and is eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird. These stunning and tiny jewelled beauties are quick and fly with incredible precision from nectar source to nectar source. Sugar water feeders and flower gardens are great ways to bring them into your yard and your local greenhouse can point out the best flowers to bring them around. In early fall they head to Central America, with many able to cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single go!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Range Map

Quick Identification:

  • Small hummingbird with a downward curved bill.
  • Striking Emerald-green coloured back and head with white/grey underparts.
  • Males have an iridescent ruby-red throat bib.

Call

Compilation of monotonous chip calls with wing beats. Their wings almost sound like having a mosquito flying in your ear.

Adult Plumage

Female in flight. Many females (especially older ones) may have a couple red or black feathers under their chin. Juvenile females look very similar to adults.
Male in flight. Here you can clearly see the iridescent red throat. In some lights it looks almost black.
Juvenile Male. Notice the darker feathers on the throat.

Did you know?

  • This species beats its wings approximately 53 times a second.
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have very short legs which prevent it from walking or hopping. When perching it can shuffle along a branch.
  • Hummingbirds are placed in the same taxanomic order as swifts, the Apodiformes. Translated from latin this means, “without feet”.
  • Hummingbirds are able to fly in all directions and hover.
  • During the breeding season, Males give a courtship display to females by making a looping, U-shaped dive starting from as high as 50 feet above the female. If she perches, the male shifts to making fast side-to-side flights while facing her.
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbirds prefer to feed on red or orange flowers.
  • Like many species of birds, Hummingbirds can see UV light.
  • The oldest known Ruby-throated Hummingbird was a female re-captured in West Virginia and was at least 9 years, 1 month old.

Credits:

Header photo by: D. Magers at www.birdsandblooms.com

Female photo by: L. Morgan at www.birdsandblooms.com

Male photo by T. Sohl at www.sdakotabirds.com

Juvenile photo by: J. Radosevich at www.fineartamerica.com

Audio clip by Russ Wigh at www.xenocanto.org

Great information from Cornell Lab of Ornithology at www.allaboutbirds.org

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