Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Overview
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird in eastern North America. Males are distinguished by their brilliant iridescent ruby-red throat patch. These tiny birds make an incredible non-stop migration across the Gulf of Mexico — up to 500 miles in a single flight.
Length
7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 in)
Weight
2–6 g (0.071–0.212 oz)
Wingspan
8–11 cm (3.1–4.3 in)
Lifespan
3–5 years (up to 9 in wild)
Fun Fact
“A ruby-throated hummingbird must consume roughly half its body weight in sugar each day to fuel its hyperactive lifestyle!”
Fascinating Facts
- 1
Can beat their wings 53 times per second
- 2
Only hummingbird that breeds in eastern North America
- 3
Migrates non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico — about 500 miles
- 4
Heart beats 1,200 times per minute during flight
- 5
Brain is 4.2% of body weight — proportionally one of the largest in birds
- 6
Can fly backwards and hover in place
- 7
Body temperature drops to 54°F during torpor to conserve energy
- 8
Males arrive at breeding grounds 1–2 weeks before females
Migration & Nesting
Northward Migration
March–May
Southward Migration
July–October
Nesting Season
April–August
Garden Tips & Preferred Flowers
Plant these nectar-rich flowers to attract Ruby-throated Hummingbird to your garden:
