Description: Ruby-throated hummingbirds are tiny birds that grow to lengths of 75mm-90mm (3.0in-3.5in) and weights between 3.4g-3.8g (0.11oz-0.13oz). Both sexes have metallic green feathers on their back and white feathers on their belly. Males have irridescent ruby colored feathers on the throat. Both sexes have a forked tail and a long thin bill (16mm-18mm).
Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings an astonishing 53 beats per second and when they do, they produce a characteristic 'humming' or 'whirring' sound. They are able to hover and even fly backwards (Source: Robinson).
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order: Apodiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Archilochus
- Species: Archilocus colubris (Source: Burnie and Wilson, 325)
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Habitat: Deciduous forests, gardens, orchards, mixed woodlands (Source: Robinson).
Range: Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend summers in eastern North America (they are the only species of hummingbirds found in that region) and winters in the western Gulf Coast and Central America (Source: Robinson). Their migration route extends over 3000km (1900mi). Some ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate along a coastal route around the Gulf of Mexico while others make a nonstop flight, 850km (530mi) across the waters of the Gulf (Source: Burnie and Wilson, 325).
Diet: Nectar, occasionally insects and tree sap. Young are fed insects for protein since nectar is insufficient source of protein for the growing birds. Shows slight preference for red, tubular flowers as a nectar source (Source: Robinson).
Status: Not threatened (Source: Robinson).
Sources:
- Burnie, D. and D.E. Wilson. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. London. 2001.
- Harris, M. and R. Naumann, K. Kirschbaum. 2000. 'Archilochus colubris' (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed September 01, 2005.
- Robinson, T. R., R. R. Sargent, and M. B. Sargent. 1996. 'Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)' (On-line), The Birds of North America, No. 204 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.
