Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris Order: APODIFORMES Family: Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest edge, Grassland with scattered trees



Breeding Type:

Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Common to fairly common



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

2



Incubation Days:

11 - 16



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Soft plant down, fireweed, milkweed thistles, and leaves.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Recommended Products:

Overview

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Medium hummingbird, iridescent green upperparts, head, flanks. Underparts are pale gray, paler breast, green wash on sides, belly; throat is bright red with black chin. Tail is dark, forked. Feeds primarily on nectar. Direct and hovering flight with very rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Breeds from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast; only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi River. Spends winters mainly in the tropics and rarely on the Gulf Coast. Found in woodlands, orchards, and gardens.

Breeding and Nesting

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Two white eggs are laid in a nest woven from plant down, held together with spider silk, covered with lichens, and saddled to a tree branch, usually in a forest clearing. Eggs are incubated for 11 to 16 days by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Feeds mostly on nectar, but also eats insects and spiders; preferred flowers include honeysuckle, petunias, nasturtiums, and lilacs, but is often attracted to red-flowered species. Consumes twice its body weight each day.

Readily Eats

Sugar Water, Commercial instant nectars

Vocalization

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Call is a mouse-like, twittering squeak.

Similar Species

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Broad-tailed Hummingbird has a duller red throat and lacks black chin. Female is distinguished from the following: Calliope Hummingbird has rufous on flanks and tail; Anna's Hummingbird is larger and has grayer breast; Costa's Hummingbird is smaller, stouter, and has pale eyebrows; Black-chinned Hummingbird has grayer crown and underparts.

.
Family Hummingbird (Trochilidae)_blue
Species Archilochus colubris
Length3 - 3.75 Inches
Wingspan4.375 Inches

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Medium hummingbird, iridescent green upperparts, head, flanks. Underparts are pale gray, paler breast, green wash on sides, belly; throat is bright red with black chin. Tail is dark, forked. Feeds primarily on nectar. Direct and hovering flight with very rapid wing beats.

● Song: "chip-chip-chip-chip-chip"

● Foraging & Feeding: Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Feeds mostly on nectar, but also eats insects and spiders; preferred flowers include honeysuckle, petunias, nasturtiums, and lilacs, but is often attracted to red-flowered species. Consumes twice its body weight each day.

● Breeding & nesting: Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Two white eggs are laid in a nest woven from plant down, held together with spider silk, covered with lichens, and saddled to a tree branch, usually in a forest clearing. Eggs are incubated for 11 to 16 days by the female.

● Similar species: Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Broad-tailed Hummingbird has a duller red throat and lacks black chin. Female is distinguished from the following: Calliope Hummingbird has rufous on flanks and tail; Anna's Hummingbird is larger and has grayer breast; Costa's Hummingbird is smaller, stouter, and has pale eyebrows; Black-chinned Hummingbird has grayer crown and underparts.

Flight Pattern

Up to 75 rapid wing beats per second.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Breeds from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast; only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi River. Spends winters mainly in the tropics and rarely on the Gulf Coast. Found in woodlands, orchards, and gardens.
BreedingSolitary nester
PopulationCommon to fairly common
MigrationMigratory
Weight0.1 Ounces