Ruby-throated hummingbirds are one of the most popular and recognizable hummingbird species in North America. They are the only breeding hummingbird species found east of the Mississippi River and can be found in backyards, gardens, and parks during the spring and summer months. Ruby-throated hummingbirds have unique features and behaviors that make them fascinating to observe. Their small size, lightning fast wingbeats, and ability to hover and fly backwards intrigue people of all ages. Here are some fun facts about these tiny birds that kids are sure to enjoy!
Basic Facts
What do they look like?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds get their name from the bright reddish-pink or ruby-colored throat patch found on adult males. Their backs are metallic green, and their undersides are white. Females lack the red throat and are pale below with green backs. Both males and females have long thin bills adapted for reaching nectar inside flowers. Their forked tails and small size at 3 to 4 inches make them easy to identify.
Where do they live?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds breed across Eastern North America and into Southern Canada. They migrate south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. During migration, they pass through states along the Gulf Coast and can sometimes be spotted in Western states. Ruby-throats prefer open areas and the edges of forests, where they can easily locate flowering plants.
What do they eat?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from drinking nectar from tubular shaped flowers. Their favorites include bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, and coral honeysuckle. They also eat small insects and spiders, darting out to snatch them from the air or picking them off leaves and branches. To get enough nutrients, hummingbirds need to consume half their body weight in nectar each day!
Nesting and Reproduction
How do they make their nests?
Female ruby-throated hummingbirds build cup-shaped nests out of soft plant down, spider silk, and lichens. They use sticky spider webs to bind the materials together and attach the nest to a thin tree branch, usually 10-20 feet above ground. The outside of the nest is camouflaged with bits of bark and lichens to protect the eggs. The inside of the nest is lined with soft plant fibers for warmth.
How many eggs do they lay?
Hummingbird nests are tiny – only about 2 inches across! But female hummingbirds are able to fit 2 eggs inside. The eggs are very small, about half the size of a jellybean. The eggs are white with no speckles or markings. Like the nest, the eggs are well camouflaged when the female is away from the nest to make them less visible to predators.
How long do the eggs take to hatch?
Ruby-throated hummingbird eggs hatch after an incubation period of 11 to 14 days. The female does all the incubating, meaning she sits on the nest constantly to keep the eggs warm. She will leave the nest for only a few minutes at a time to eat and chase off intruders. During the rest of the time, she patiently sits with her eggs waiting for them to hatch.
How long before the babies leave the nest?
The altricial hummingbird babies are almost naked when they hatch, with eyes closed and very little ability to thermoregulate or move on their own. They rely completely on their mother for warmth, protection, and food. After about 3 weeks, the young hummingbirds have grown enough feathers for warmth and start poking their heads out of the nest. At this point they still can’t fly. After another 7 to 10 days, they are fully feathered and ready to leave the nest and start flying. The whole nesting period is very quick, only 4 to 5 weeks from when the eggs are laid!
Migration
How far do they migrate?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds make one of the most incredible migration journeys of any small bird. Each fall, they leave their summer grounds in the Eastern U.S. and Canada and fly across the Gulf of Mexico to their wintering grounds in Central America or Mexico. Some even cross the Gulf in a single nonstop flight of over 500 miles! In spring they make the same journey in reverse.
How fast can they fly while migrating?
These tiny birds can hit amazing speeds during migration. When cruising along or flitting between flowers, they only go 5-15 mph. But in a burst of speed or dive they can reach 30-60 mph! This allows them to make their incredible nonstop migratory flights across hundreds of miles of open water.
How do they navigate their migration route?
Scientists believe ruby-throats use a combination of methods to navigate their biannual migration. They may rely on the earth’s magnetic field to point them north or south. Visual cues like landmarks, stars, and sun position also help guide them. And their internal circadian rhythms and fat reserves help drive them on their lengthy journey. Hummingbirds passing through the same areas each year may even remember their route based on familiar landmarks.
Unique Adaptations
How do they hover in place?
The ability to hover sets hummingbirds apart from other birds. Ruby-throats can beat their wings up to 53 times per second, allowing them to fly in any direction or remain suspended in one spot. Their wings rotate in a figure 8 pattern rather than just up and down. This creates the lift necessary to stay still midair. specialized shoulder joints allow their wings to rotate 180 degrees backward and forward.
How do they feed while hovering?
Not only can ruby-throated hummingbirds hover in place, they can also adjust their position midair instantly. This helps them feed more efficiently from flowers. As they lick nectar using their long tongues, they make slight adjustments moving up, down, left, and right to align perfectly with each flower. Their incredible maneuverability prevents wasting energy between flower visits.
How do they perch?
While hummingbirds can perch on branches and wires, their unusual legs and feet make this less comfortable compared to other birds. To conserve energy overnight or between feedings, they enter a hibernation-like, energy conserving torpor while perched. This lowers their body temperature and metabolic rate. Unlike hibernation, torpor lasts less than a day and they can snap out of it quickly when needed.
How do they cope with cold temperatures?
Small bodies lose heat quickly. To cope with cold nights and mornings, ruby-throated hummingbirds fluff up their feathers to trap body heat. They also shiver constantly by vibrating their flight muscles to generate heat. This uses lots of energy, so hummingbirds need to eat half their weight in nectar daily to fuel their metabolism and keep their tiny bodies warm. ACCESSING STORED KNOWLEDGE ON HUMMINGBIRD METABOLISM… Hummingbirds have one of the highest metabolism of any animal. Their heart rate can reach over 1,200 beats per minute and they take around 250 breaths per minute while at rest. This rapid respiration generates the oxygen and energy needed to support hovering, shivering, and their other unique abilities. Their high metabolism requires a constant supply of food.
Behavior
Do they really fight at feeders?
Hummingbirds are very territorial and males in particular will defend their favorite nectar sources. At feeders, chasing, vocalizations, and dramatic dive displays help claim ownership over the feeder. Actual physical contact is rare though as fighting expends too much precious energy. Females may also participate in chasing if another bird approaches her nest. Despite their feistiness, several hummingbirds can share a feeder, simply staking out preferred perches.
Why do they fly erratically sometimes?
Ruby-throats perform dramatic aerial courtship dances to impress females and chase intruders. Males fly in loops, dives, and ascents to show off their flying skills and flashy throats. Their courtship displays also communicate willingness to mate. Females observe these flight patterns carefully when deciding on a mate. The males also use elaborate dives and rapid zig-zagging to drive away rivals or protect their territory.
Do they remember feeder locations?
Research shows hummingbirds have excellent spatial memory and recall preferred feeding locations each year. When migrating north in the spring, they seek out and defend the same nesting areas and food sources. Individual hummingbirds returning to feeders after winter will chase away newcomers to reclaim food resources. Maintaining energy reserves is critical for their survival, so remembering reliable food sources gives returning birds a big advantage.
How do they sleep?
Hummingbirds have two main sleeping strategies. At night they enter torpor, lowering their energy use. They perch on branches, wires, or even inside dense vegetation. Their feet can tightly grip their perch without using any muscle effort thanks to a tendon locking mechanism. They also take occasional short daytime naps while perched. During sleep their small size makes them vulnerable, so their camouflage and choice of protected perches helps keep them safe.
Interacting With Hummingbirds
What flowers attract them?
Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, purple, or pink. Continuous blooming flowers like lantana, fuchsia, petunias, and sage keep them returning all season. They prefer flowers with a spur or elongated tube shape that protects nectar while still allowing their long beak and tongue access. Plants with open faces like daisies are more difficult for them to feed from.
What is the best feeder setup?
Red feeders are very attractive to hummingbirds. It’s best to hang feeders using fishing line or wire so they move and flutter in the breeze. Hummingbirds feel safer accessing feeders that sway. Choose a location with some trees or bushes nearby so the birds have a perch and a quick escape from predators. Use a nectar concentration of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water and change it out every few days, or every 1-2 days in hot weather.
How close can they come?
Hummingbirds are very curious and may come surprisingly close to people. With some patience, you can have one hover a foot or two from your face. Avoid sudden movements which may startle them. Early mornings and evenings when fewer people are around are the best times for close-up encounters in your yard or garden. Interacting with these tiny birds up close is an experience that fascinates kids of all ages.
Fun Facts
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the smallest breeding bird in Eastern North America.
- They can fly up to 35 mph.
- Their wings beat more than 50 times per second.
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.
- They drink up to twice their weight in nectar each day.
- Their average lifespan is 3 to 5 years but the record is 12 years.
- Hummingbird tongues are 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches long.
- Pollen on their heads and necks colors them yellow or orange.
- They bathe multiple times a day by skimming water and shaking it through their feathers.
Conclusion
Ruby-throated hummingbirds lead fascinating lives. Their specialized anatomy allows them to hover and fly with great speed and precision. From pollinating flowers to migrating across the Gulf of Mexico, every day brings a new challenge. These tiny birds work hard for their next sip of nectar or insect meal. Kids will love learning more about these backyards acrobats and their non-stop activity. With a few flowering plants or feeders, anyone can experience these energetic hummingbirds up close and personal. Their dazzling aerial displays and curious nature make encountering ruby-throats an exciting adventure for young and old alike.
