Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Overview

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a tiny nectar-feeding bird renowned for its remarkable aerial abilities and jewel-like plumage. This species measures only 7-9 centimeters in length and weighs approximately 2-6 grams, making it one of the smallest birds in North America. Despite their diminutive size, these hummingbirds are capable of extraordinary feats, including wingbeats of approximately 53 times per second and the ability to hover, fly backwards, and even upside down for brief periods. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are solitary birds outside of the brief mating season, with males and females coming together only for courtship and mating. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism: adult males possess the characteristic iridescent ruby-red throat (gorget) that gives the species its name, along with a forked tail and metallic green upperparts, while females and juveniles have white underparts with a pale throat and rounded tails with white tips. These birds undertake an impressive migration journey, traveling up to 2,000 miles between their breeding grounds in eastern North America and their wintering grounds in Central America. Many individuals make a non-stop 500-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico, an astonishing feat for such a small bird. During migration preparation, they nearly double their body weight by accumulating fat reserves. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds play an important ecological role as pollinators, visiting hundreds of flowers daily and transferring pollen between plants. They have co-evolved with many native North American flowering plants, particularly those with tubular red or orange flowers that accommodate their long bills and high energy needs.

How to identify

Adult males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red gorget (throat patch) that can appear black in poor lighting, metallic green upperparts, grayish-white underparts, and a forked tail. Females and immatures lack the red gorget, instead having white throats sometimes with faint dusky streaking, greenish upperparts, whitish underparts, and rounded tails with white tips on outer feathers. Both sexes have a long, needle-like black bill, short legs, and appear neckless. In flight, wings produce a humming sound. Body length is 7-9 cm with a wingspan of 8-11 cm. Vocalizations include high-pitched chips, squeaks, and chattering notes, though they are not considered songbirds.

Habitat

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, meadows, gardens, and parks. They prefer areas with abundant flowering plants and are commonly found near woodland clearings, streamsides, and residential areas with flower gardens and hummingbird feeders. During breeding season, they favor open woodlands and gardens with available nesting sites on small tree branches.

Distribution

Breeds throughout eastern North America from southern Canada (Alberta to Nova Scotia) south to the Gulf Coast and central Texas. Winters primarily in southern Mexico and Central America, including Costa Rica and Panama, with some individuals remaining in southern Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Migration routes follow the eastern United States, with many birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico during spring and fall migrations.

Diet

Primarily feeds on nectar from flowers, showing preference for red or orange tubular flowers such as trumpet creeper, bee balm, cardinal flower, and jewelweed. Also consumes small insects and spiders for protein, catching them in flight or gleaning them from leaves and bark. Feeds from tree sap at sapsucker wells. Visits hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water (1:4 sugar to water ratio). Must consume approximately half their body weight in nectar daily and visit hundreds to thousands of flowers to meet energy requirements.

Behavior

Highly territorial, especially males who defend feeding territories and perform aggressive displays including dive displays and chases. Capable of hovering in place, flying backwards, and making rapid directional changes. Wings beat at approximately 53 times per second during normal flight and up to 200 times per second during courtship dives. Enter a state of torpor at night to conserve energy, lowering metabolic rate and body temperature. Males perform U-shaped or pendulum-like courtship displays. Solitary except during brief breeding encounters. Spend much of the day perched, despite active appearance, to conserve energy between feeding bouts.

Reproduction & life cycle

Breeding season occurs from March to July depending on latitude. Males do not participate in nesting or parental care. Females build tiny cup-shaped nests on small downward-sloping branches, typically 3-12 meters above ground. Nests are constructed from plant down, bud scales, and lichens, bound with spider silk, and measure approximately 5 cm in diameter. Females lay 2 white, pea-sized eggs and incubate them for 12-14 days. Chicks are altricial (born helpless) and fledge at 18-22 days. Females may raise 1-2 broods per season. Young birds reach sexual maturity at one year of age.

When to look

Present in breeding range from April to September. Spring migration occurs March through May; fall migration August through October. Best observed during peak flowering seasons (May-August in northern areas). In southern wintering grounds, present November through March. Peak viewing at feeders during migration periods.

Cultural significance

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hold significant cultural importance in North American Indigenous traditions, often symbolizing joy, love, and good luck. In Cherokee tradition, hummingbirds brought tobacco to people and are associated with healing. The species is featured in numerous artworks, poetry, and literature celebrating natural beauty. Hummingbird feeding has become a widespread hobby in North America, with millions of feeders sold annually. The species serves as an indicator of healthy ecosystems and is used in citizen science projects like eBird and Journey North to track migration patterns and climate change impacts.

Similar species

• Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
• Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
• Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)

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