Bird · GBIF taxon 5228514
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubrisAlso known as Ruby-throat
These tiny, iridescent dynamos are the only hummingbirds that breed regularly in eastern North America, famous for their direct, non-stop migration across the Gulf of Mexico. Males flash a brilliant, light-refracting ruby-red throat gorget, while both sexes navigate forest edges and gardens with astonishing aerial agility, beating their wings up to 80 times per second. During the breeding season, females construct walnut-sized nests of plant down and spider silk, camouflaging the exterior with lichens.
MigratoryNectar-feedingIridescent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower Nectar
- Small Insects
- Spiders
Predators
- Praying Mantises
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsHabitat loss, window collisions, outdoor cats, and pesticide use
HabitatsDeciduous forests, forest edges, orchards, meadows, and suburban gardens
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderApodiformes
- FamilyTrochilidae
- GenusArchilochus
- SpeciesArchilochus colubris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Feeder Maintenance: Clean sugar-water feeders every few days to prevent deadly mold growth.
- Plant Native Flowers: Grow tubular blooms like bee balm and trumpet vine to provide natural forage.
- Window Safety: Apply decals to windows to prevent fatal high-speed collisions.
Migratory Competitor VJAnderson / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Western Cousin Robert McMorran, United States Fish and Wildlife Service / Public domain · cc0
Pollinator Partner (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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