Ruby-throated Hummingbird Bird Facts (Archilochus colubris)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Least Concern

Known as the jewel of the garden, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is North America's most common hummingbird. This tiny, vibrant bird, primarily recognized by its glimmering green body and radiant ruby-red throat, captivates bird-watchers with its acrobatic aerial maneuvers and astonishing long-distance migration. Despite its small size, this hummingbird plays a big role in pollination, making it a cherished visitor in many backyards and gardens.

Appearance and Identification

Male Female Juvenile

Primary Color

Green

Primary Color (female)

Green

Primary Color (juvenile)

Green

Secondary Colors

White, Red

Secondary Colors (female)

White

Secondary Colors (juvenile)

White

Secondary Colors (seasonal)

Wing Color

Black

Wing Color (female)

Black

Wing Color (juvenile)

Black

Beak Type

Long and thin

Beak Color

Black

Beak Color (female)

Black

Beak Color (juvenile)

Black

Leg Color

Black

Leg Color (female)

Black

Leg Color (juvenile)

Black

Distinctive Markings

Males have bright red throats

Distinctive Markings (female)

No red on throat

Distinctive Markings (juvenile)

Similar to female

Tail Description

Short and slightly forked

Tail Description (female)

White-tipped

Tail Description (juvenile)

White-tipped

Size Metrics

7cm to 9cm

Length

8cm to 11cm

Wingspan

2g to 6g

Weight

Photos

Click on an image below to see the full-size version

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird perching on a branch

A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Male (left) and Female (right)

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at nest with her young

Vocalization and Sounds

Primary Calls

Soft chirping sounds

Call Description

Rapid, high-pitched chirps

Alarm Calls

Sharp, high-pitched trills

Behavior and Social Structure

Daily Activities

Feeds on nectar and insects throughout the day

Social Habits

Solitary, except during mating season

Territorial Behavior

Defends feeding territories

Migratory Patterns

Migrates to Central America in winter

Interaction with Other Species

Aggressively defends feeding territory

Diet

Primary Diet

Nectar, Insects

Feeding Habits

Feeds on the wing, hovering in front of flowers to sip nectar

Feeding Times

Throughout the day

Prey Capture Method

Hovers in front of flowers to sip nectar

Diet Variations

Also eats small insects and spiders

Special Dietary Needs (if any)

Requires high energy diet due to rapid wing beats

Nesting

Nesting Location

Trees or shrubs

Nest Construction

Small cup of plant down and spider silk, covered in lichens

Breeding Season

Spring to summer

Number of clutches (per breeding season)

Up to three

Egg Appearance

White

Egg Size

1.3cm x 0.8cm

Clutch Characteristics

1-3 eggs

Incubation Period

12-14 days

Fledgling Period

18-22 days

Parental Care

Female cares for young alone

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Eastern North America, Central America in winter

Habitat Description

Woodlands, gardens, meadows

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2000m

Migration Patterns

Migrates to Central America in winter

Biome

Forest, Grassland

Climate zones

Temperate, Tropical

Distribution Map

Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.

Breeding

Canada, United States of America

Non-breeding

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

Passage

Cuba, The Bahamas

Lifespan and Life Cycle

Lifespan range (years)

Average Lifespan

4 year(s)

Maturity Age

1 year(s)

Breeding Age

1 year(s)

Reproductive Behavior

Males perform courtship display

Age-Related Changes

None

Conservation Status

Current Status

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Major Threats

Habitat loss

Conservation Efforts

None specific, benefits from nectar plantings

Population Trend

The population has been increasing over the last five decades

Classification

Other names:

Ruby-throated Hummer, Ruby-throated Humming-bird

Family:

Trochilidae

Population size:

36,000,000

Population trend:

Increasing

Conservation status:

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Appearance and Identification

Primary Color

Primary Color (female)

Primary Color (juvenile)

Secondary Colors

Secondary Colors (female)

Secondary Colors (juvenile)

Secondary Colors (seasonal)

Wing Color

Wing Color (female)

Wing Color (juvenile)

Beak Type

Beak Color

Beak Color (female)

Beak Color (juvenile)

Leg Color

Leg Color (female)

Leg Color (juvenile)

Distinctive Markings

Distinctive Markings (female)

Distinctive Markings (juvenile)

Tail Description

Tail Description (female)

Tail Description (juvenile)

Size Metrics

Photos

Vocalization and Sounds

Primary Calls

Call Description

Alarm Calls

Behavior and Social Structure

Daily Activities

Social Habits

Territorial Behavior

Migratory Patterns

Interaction with Other Species

Diet

Primary Diet

Feeding Habits

Feeding Times

Prey Capture Method

Diet Variations

Special Dietary Needs (if any)

Nesting

Nesting Location

Nest Construction

Breeding Season

Number of clutches (per breeding season)

Egg Appearance

Egg Size

Clutch Characteristics

Incubation Period

Fledgling Period

Parental Care

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Habitat Description

Elevation Range

Migration Patterns

Biome

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Lifespan and Life Cycle

Lifespan range (years)

Average Lifespan

Maturity Age

Breeding Age

Reproductive Behavior

Age-Related Changes

Conservation Status

Current Status

Major Threats

Conservation Efforts

Population Trend

Classification

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