Ruby-throated Hummingbird

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a small bird known for its iridescent plumage, hovering flight, and a rapid wingbeat that produces a low hum. It is the only hummingbird species that breeds in eastern North America.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a tiny bird, measuring only about 3 to 3.5 inches in length. Males have a brilliant, iridescent red throat (gorget) that can appear dark or black depending on the light, while the rest of their body is a metallic green. Females are duller, with a white throat. Both sexes have long, slender bills and a forked tail.

These hummingbirds are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and gardens. They are highly migratory, spending the summer in eastern North America and migrating to Mexico and Central America for the winter.

Their diet consists mainly of nectar from flowers, which they drink by hovering and using their long tongue. They also eat small insects and spiders, which provide the protein they need for energy.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird's wings beat at an incredible rate, often over 50 times per second, which allows them to hover in mid-air. They are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their feeding grounds from other hummingbirds and even larger birds.