Hummingbirds are beautiful, tiny birds known for their ability to hover in midair and fly backwards. They get their name from the humming sound created by their rapidly beating wings, which flap 12-80 times per second depending on the species. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas.
Redneck Hummingbirds
There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, many with colorful, flashy plumage. However, one species stands out for its lack of vibrancy – the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common hummingbird found east of the Mississippi River in the United States. It is named for the metallic ruby-red throat patch found on the adult male. However, the female and immature Ruby-throats are primarily gray-green above with white undersides, lacking any bright coloration.
This plain appearance, along with the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s widespread presence across the U.S. South and Southeast, has led to it being informally nicknamed the “redneck hummingbird.” This is likely a reference to the term “redneck,” a stereotype for working-class white people from the South and rural areas of the U.S. So while not an official name, “redneck hummingbird” is sometimes used as a colloquial or joking way to refer to the abundant, yet modestly colored, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Characteristics of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Beyond its lack of flashy feathers, there are a few other characteristics that distinguish the Ruby-throated Hummingbird:
- Size: The Ruby-throat has a length of 2.8-3.5 inches, making it one of the smaller hummingbird species. Its weight ranges from 2-6 grams.
- Range: The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates between Canada/the United States and Mexico/Central America. Its summer breeding range extends across eastern North America from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, and south to Florida and Texas. During winter, it can be found in southern Mexico and Central America.
- Habitat: In summer, Ruby-throats are found in deciduous and mixed forests, gardens, meadows, and anywhere with flowering plants. They winter in tropical forests, mangroves, and scrublands.
- Diet: Ruby-throats primarily eat nectar from flowers and flowering trees/shrubs. They also eat insects, which provide them with protein.
- Behavior: Males perform aerial displays during courtship. Ruby-throats are aggressive and territorial, and may fight over nectar sources.
- Nesting: The tiny nest is made of plant down and spider webs. It is typically on a downward-facing tree branch up to 20 feet high. The female lays 2 white eggs and raises the chicks alone.
The Redneck Association
The “redneck” association with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds most likely arose due to this species being one of the most widespread hummingbirds across the eastern and southern United States, which overlaps with the cultural region most strongly associated with rednecks. The vast majority of hummingbird species in the U.S. are restricted to states along the Pacific Coast, U.S. Southwest, or Florida. In contrast, the Ruby-throat inhabits a broad range extending across redneck hotspots like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Appalachia.
Additionally, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird thrives in rural and suburban environments, including farms, fields, backyards, and open country – landscapes that are iconic redneck settings to many Americans. Other hummingbirds are more closely tied to undisturbed natural areas like deserts and mountains. The ability of Ruby-throats to adapt to disturbed or developed habitats occupied by humans has helped cement the link between this tough, widespread species and the rural working-class redneck stereotype.
Alternative Common Names
While the “redneck hummingbird” nickname has stuck, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird has been known by many other folk names over the centuries including:
- Ruby-throat
- Ruby-throated hummingbird
- Rubythroat
- Rubythroated hummingbird
- Eastern hummingbird
- Common hummingbird
- Humming bee
- Worker bee
These names generally refer to the species’ ruby-colored throat (Ruby-throat, Ruby-throated), their widespread presence in eastern North America (Eastern hummingbird), or their reputation as one of the hardest working hummingbird species (Worker bee).
Appearance of Males, Females, and Juveniles
There are distinct differences in plumage between male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and also between adults and juveniles:
Adult Males
- Iridescent ruby-red throat
- Metallic green crown and back
- Gray or blackish tail with white tips
- White breast
Adult Females
- White throat, breast and belly
- Dull olive-green crown and back
- Dark tail with white tips
- Some faint reddish spotting at throat
Juveniles
- Resemble adult female but with buffy stripes on throat, breast and belly
- Tail has rounded tips compared to pointed adult tail tips
The vibrant ruby throat is unique to adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and develops between 1-3 years of age. Females and juveniles are much more drab, though they share the same hummingbird behaviors like nectar feeding, hovering flight, and aggressiveness.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most impressive migratory birds, making an arduous round-trip spanning thousands of miles every year between its northern breeding grounds and southern wintering grounds:
- Spring migration occurs in March and April as the birds fly north after wintering in Mexico and Central America.
- They arrive on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. in February and reach northern states and Canada by May.
- In August and September, southbound migration begins back through the U.S. to Mexico and Panama.
- Some east coast individuals may fly nonstop across the 500+ mile Gulf of Mexico in 20+ hours.
Throughout migration, Ruby-throats rely on flower nectar, tree sap, and insects to fuel up. Backyards and parks with nectar feeders and flowering plants provide important migratory stopover habitat.
Attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Here are some tips for attracting ruby-throated hummingbirds to your yard:
Nectar Feeders
- Use a feeder made specifically for hummingbirds – red is a favorite color
- Fill with a 4:1 ratio of water to white refined sugar only – no honey, dyes, etc
- Clean feeders every few days to prevent mold, bacteria, and pests
- Place in a visible location with shade/protection from wind and rain
Flowers
- Plant native flowers with tubular blooms like bee balm and columbine
- Grow nectar-rich flowers like petunias, gladiolus, fuchsia, trumpet vine
- Have flowers of different colors blooming spring through fall
- Avoid modern hybrid flowers – opt for single petal, old-fashioned varieties
Water
- Provide a shallow fountain, mister, or bird bath for drinking and bathing
- Use a dripper or small pump to keep water moving
Habitat
- Provide protected forest edge or shrubby areas for shelter/nesting
- Let dead leaves, moss, bark accumulate – it provides nest materials
- Allow dead trees and branches to remain intact
By meeting hummingbirds’ needs for food, water, shelter and nesting sites, anyone can convert their backyard into attractive habitat for ruby-throated hummingbirds and other migratory hummingbird species that pass through.
Interesting Facts About Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
- Ruby-throats beat their wings 12-80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place and fly backwards, upside down, and sideways.
- Their wings rotate in a figure 8 pattern for hovering and maneuvering.
- They have the fastest wingbeat of any North American bird.
- Their heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute.
- They eat up to half their body weight in nectar daily and build up fat stores for migration.
- Males perform U-shaped aerial displays up to 200 feet in the air during courtship.
- Nests are made from plant down wrapped together with spider silk and laced onto branches.
- Their tongues extend beyond their beak tips to slurp nectar while hovering.
- They feed 5-8 times per hour by lapping nectar with their forked tongue at 13-17 licks per second.
- They trap insects mid-air for protein in their specialized beaks.
Despite being nicknamed the “redneck hummingbird,” the tiny and tough Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a true engineering marvel of nature, dazzling birdwatchers with its speed, stamina, and aerial capabilities. Next time you see one buzzing by, take a moment to admire the hummingbird that hums from coast to coast each year across America’s backyards and blooming meadows.
Conclusion
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s widespread range and adaptability to human-altered environments has earned it the informal nickname of “redneck hummingbird.” But while not as flashy as other tropical species, the tenacious Ruby-throat is an equally impressive hummingbird perfectly equipped for its life on the wing. This migratory species thrives across eastern North America thanks to incredible high-speed flying skills allowing it to hover, feed, and migrate great distances fueled on little more than flower nectar. By providing nectar sources in yards, parks, and natural areas throughout its range, we can support the energetic lifestyle of the ruby-throated hummingbird – redneck name or not.