Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are one of the most popular and widely recognized species of hummingbird found across North America. With their bright emerald green backs, gray-white undersides, and of course, flashy ruby red throats on the males, these tiny birds are a delight to watch as they buzz around flowers and feeders.
But you may be wondering, what is the correct term used to describe a group of these hummingbirds? Is it a flock, swarm, hover, bouquet? Here’s a quick overview of the terms used for groups of hummingbirds.
A Charm of Hummingbirds
The most commonly accepted term for a group of hummingbirds is a “charm.” This whimsical name evokes the delight of watching a group of energetic, buzzing hummingbirds crowding around a feeder. The term charm has been popularly used in reference to hummingbirds since at least the late 19th century.
So a group of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds would accurately be called a charm of hummingbirds. But they are not the only species that travels in a charm. Allen’s Hummingbirds, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, and Rufous Hummingbirds can all form charms too when multiple birds gather together.
Other Terms Used
While a charm is the most commonly accepted term, there are a few other words sometimes used to describe a group of hummingbirds:
- A hover of hummingbirds
- A bouquet of hummingbirds
- A glittering of hummingbirds
- A shimmer of hummingbirds
These terms paint lovely images of hummingbirds grouping together in midair, hovering to feed on nectar. Since hummingbirds do have an ability to remain still in one place while feeding, a “hover” is an apt description of their behavior.
A “bouquet” emphasizes the connection between hummingbirds and flowers, picturing the birds clustered together amid blossoms. And “glittering” and “shimmer” reinforce the bright, flashy, jewel-toned colors of hummingbirds’ plumage.
Why Do Hummingbirds Form Groups?
Understanding typical hummingbird behavior provides insight into why we see them forming groups at certain times:
- Feeding – Hummingbirds will congregate in large numbers when attracted to a food source, such as a feeder or patch of flowers. The promise of lots of nectar draws multiple hummers to the area.
- Migration – During migration, hummers will group together in preparation for long journeys. Large numbers may also be seen stopping to rest and feed at prime nectar-producing flowers.
- Nesting – In the breeding season, male hummers will gather at choice habitat as they compete to attract mates.
So while hummers are solitude-seeking birds much of the year, when an abundant food source is available or for key life events like migration and breeding, their typically solitary nature gives way to forming crowds of multiple birds.
Notable Gatherings of Hummingbirds
Some of the most spectacular gatherings of hummingbirds occur in Mexico’s pine and oak woodlands. Here are a few amazing hummer aggregations:
- Rivoli’s Hummingbird Migration – Every autumn, up to one million Rivoli’s Hummingbirds migrate through the mountains of northern Mexico. When they stop to rest, they can form huge feeding flocks of hundreds or thousands of birds.
- Catafile Cave – In this cave near Copper Canyon, over 300,000 Rivoli’s Hummingbirds and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds will roost together each night during migration.
- El Rosario Monarch Sanctuary – Here, Rivoli’s Hummingbirds can swarm by the tens of thousands amidst the migrating monarch butterflies that also gather here.
Other top spots to see masses of hummingbirds gathering together include southeastern Arizona, Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, and various locations in Ecuador and Peru.
The Amazing Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds across the Eastern United States and Canada during the warmer months. But by far its greatest gatherings occur during migration:
- Up to 1 million Ruby-throats may pass through the Gulf States during autumn migration in September and October.
- Prime U.S. hotspots to witness huge numbers of migrating Ruby-throats in the East include Point Pelee National Park, Ontario and High Island, Texas.
- Some west coast migration sites like Fort De Soto Park, Florida may see thousands of Ruby-throats stopping to feed and rest.
During the non-breeding season, Ruby-throats primarily migrate through and overwinter in coastal Mexico and Central America. Here they mix together in feeding flocks with other small migrant hummers like Calliope Hummingbird and Rufous Hummingbird.
Ruby-throat Hummingbird Facts
Here are some key facts about this favorite backyard hummingbird species:
- They are the only breeding hummingbird in Eastern North America.
- Males have a bright red throat patch used to attract females.
- Their wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing an array of aerial maneuvers.
- They feed on flower nectar and small insects and spiders.
- Ruby-throats are only in the U.S. and Canada during summer, migrating to Central America for winter.
- They build tiny cup nests high in trees using spider silk and lichens.
- These smallest birds weigh only 2-6 grams.
Understanding details about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds provides clues into when and where these popular birds will form temporary aggregations each year as they move across North America on their epic migration journey.
Conclusion
While Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and many other species are solitary and territorial most of the time, they do form spectacular groupings during key events like migration and breeding season. The most commonly accepted term for a group of hummingbirds is a “charm,” which captures their allure and appeal.
Other fanciful terms like a glittering, hover, or bouquet are sometimes also fitting descriptions for a gathering of hummingbirds. And certain locations host amazing scenes of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of hummingbirds coming together to feed and rest during migration.
So next time you spot a gathering of energetic hummers crowding around your feeder, take a moment to appreciate experiencing a special charm of hummingbirds!