Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Visual Identification
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.
Size
Length
7cm to 9cm
Wingspan
8cm to 11cm
Weight
2g to 6g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds possess extraordinary agility, capable of hovering, flying backwards, and darting rapidly. Their ability to visit up to 1,000 flowers daily and perform intricate U-shaped courtship flights demonstrates remarkable manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Despite their impressive flying abilities, these tiny birds have very little raw strength. Weighing only 2-6 grams, they rely more on speed and agility than physical power.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These hummingbirds show high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from forests to urban gardens. Their ability to migrate long distances, even crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight, indicates significant environmental adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are notably aggressive for their size, fiercely defending feeding territories. They're often observed chasing away not only other hummingbirds but even larger birds, displaying a high level of territorial behaviour.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their endurance is exceptional, particularly considering their size. The ability to fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico during migration (a 20-hour flight) and maintain a heart rate of up to 1,260 beats per minute during flight demonstrates remarkable stamina.
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.
Vocalisation
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 and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Ruby-throat, Ruby-throated Hummer
Family:
TrochilidaeAverage Lifespan
3 to 5 years
Max Lifespan
9.1 years [4]
Predators
Main predators include domestic cats, small hawks, praying mantises, and large spiders. Blue Jays and other birds may prey on eggs and nestlings.
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.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Archilochus colubris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22688193A186910664.
View source - 3
report, 2019: Partners in Flight; Rosenberg et al.
- 2
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source - 4
website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1
View source
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