Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Adult males have a brilliant iridescent red throat (gorget) and emerald green back. Females (shown) and juveniles have a white throat, green back, and buffy or white underparts with white tips on the outer tail feathers.

Slender, slightly down-curved bill; green crown/back; white underparts; females have white-tipped tail feathers.

Length: 7-9 cm (2.8-3.5 in), Wingspan: 8-11 cm (3.1-4.3 in), Weight: 2-6 g (0.07-0.21 oz)

Rapid, high-pitched squeaky chipping notes and a low humming sound produced by wing vibrations.

Nectar from flowers and feeders; also consumes small insects and spiders for protein.

Deciduous forests, edge habitats, orchards, and suburban gardens.

Migratory; they travel from the Eastern US/Canada across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America for winter.

Builds a tiny cup nest made of thistle/dandelion down held together with spider silk and camouflaged with lichen; typically 2 eggs.

Black-chinned Hummingbird (found further west, males have purple band) and Rufous Hummingbird (more orange/rufous coloration).

Primary pollinator for many tubular wildflowers; they facilitate plant reproduction while feeding.

Least Concern (IUCN); population is stable or increasing.

Maintain a red nectar feeder with 1:4 sugar-to-water ratio. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon.

They can beat their wings about 53 times per second and are the only birds that can fly backward and upside down.