Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris

Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

Size: 3.5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Areas with flowering plants, gardens, urban feeders

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a small, delicate bird able to hover on wings that beat at a blinding speed. The long, needlelike bill is used to probe deep into flowers so the bird can lap up the nectar. Its feet are tiny and its body is white below and green above. Males have a dark-green crown and iridescent red throat, or gorget. Females lack the colored gorget and have a light-green crown and white-tipped tail feathers. Their behavior is typical of hummingbirds, hovering and buzzing from flower to flower, emitting chits and squeaks. Most of these birds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico to South America in the winter. The adult male (bottom) and an adult female (top) are illustrated.