The ruby throated hummingbird, known for its iridescent throat patch and rapid wing beats, is one of the most common and widespread hummingbird species in North America. But what exactly is this popular bird’s scientific name?
Quick Answer
The ruby throated hummingbird’s scientific name is Archilochus colubris. This binomial name indicates the genus and species to which the ruby throated hummingbird belongs.
The Genus Archilochus
The first part of the scientific name, Archilochus, refers to the genus. A genus is a taxonomic grouping that includes one or more closely related species. The ruby throated hummingbird is the only species within the genus Archilochus.
The genus was named by French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot in 1816. Archilochus comes from the Greek arkhi meaning “master” and lochos meaning “of an ambush.” This references the hummingbird’s swift and nimble flying abilities.
The Species Name Colubris
The second part of the scientific name colubris refers to the specific epithet or species. This word comes from the Latin term colubris meaning “snake” or “serpent.” It refers to the hummingbird’s long, slender shape and rapid strike as it uses its narrow beak to reach nectar.
The combination of the genus and species names Archilochus colubris follow binomial nomenclature, the system established by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the 1700s to name and classify organisms. The ruby throated hummingbird was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his seminal work Systema Naturae in 1758.
Identifying Characteristics
The ruby throated hummingbird displays several key identifying characteristics that distinguish it from other hummingbird species:
- Bill: Long, slender, and straight
- Size: Very small, 7.5-9.5 cm long with a wingspan of 8.5-12 cm
- Color: metallic green above, grayish white below, with adult males displaying a brilliant metallic red throat
- Tail: Deeply forked
- Wings: Narrow and pointed
The male’s red throat patch, referred to as a gorget, is one of the ruby throated hummingbird’s most recognizable features. This iridescent gorget appears black at some angles but glows vivid red when hit with sunlight. It is believed the gorget serves to attract females and establish dominance among males.
A Widespread Species
Archilochus colubris is the most common and widely distributed hummingbird in North America. Its breeding range extends across most of the eastern United States up into many parts of Canada. Some key details about the habitat and range of the ruby throated hummingbird include:
- Breeding Range: From central Mexico across the eastern United States up into most central and eastern provinces of Canada
- Migration: Winters as far south as Mexico, Panama, and Florida, migrating northward in the spring and southward in late summer/autumn
- Habitat: Open areas, woodland edges, orchards, gardens, parks, meadows; also readily adapts to human dwellings
- States: Common summer resident in most eastern states from Texas to Maine; less widespread along the Pacific Coast
The ruby throated hummingbird thrives in a variety of environments and readily occupies artificial feeders, enabling it to be one of the most familiar backyard birds throughout its breeding range. Its small size, agility, and adaptability contribute to its widespread success across eastern North America.
Taxonomic Classification
The ruby throated hummingbird belongs to the following taxonomic classification:
| Taxonomic Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Archilochus |
| Species | A. colubris |
This classification shows the phylogenetic relationships and ancestry of the ruby throated hummingbird. As a member of the Trochilidae family, it is related to over 300 other hummingbird species found primarily in the Americas.
Key Facts
Here is an overview of some key facts about the ruby throated hummingbird:
- Smallest breeding bird in eastern North America
- High metabolism with a heart rate up to 1,260 beats per minute
- Only hummingbird species breeding east of the Mississippi River
- Feeds primarily on nectar but also eats insects and spiders
- Male performs aerial courtship displays, diving from heights of 3-6 meters
- Nests are tiny cups of plant down bound with spider silk, often in trees
- Females lay 2 white eggs and incubate them for 12-14 days
- Molts twice annually, in spring and fall
- Highly territorial, especially around food sources
- Migrates solo, unlike many other bird species
- Travels approximately 800 kilometers between its breeding and wintering grounds
The ruby throated hummingbird’s small size belies its incredible speed, agility, and energetic lifestyle. This diminutive bird survives long migrations and sustains a rapid metabolism primarily through a diet of liquid nectar and tiny insects.
Appearance and Behavior
The ruby throated hummingbird displays some key physical features and behaviors:
Size and Shape
Very small with a slender, streamlined body adapted for flight; long bill suited for reaching nectar; short legs and small feet.
Plumage
Males have bright metallic green upperparts and grayish white underparts; vivid iridescent red throat patch or gorget. Females lack the red throat patch and are duller in color.
Flight and Wings
Wings beat at an incredible 50-80 times per second in forward flight; capable of flying backwards, upside down, and hovering in midair.
Behavior
Extremely territorial, using diving displays and chasing to protect nectar sources; traps insects mid-air; vocalizations include chirps, squeaks, and buzzing sounds.
Migration
Travels alone on a strenuous journey up to 800 kilometers between its summer breeding and southern wintering grounds.
Unique Adaptations
Ruby throated hummingbirds have evolved some fascinating anatomical and physiological adaptations:
- Bill shape – Long, slender bill perfectly suited for drinking nectar from flowers
- Tongue – Tongue is forked and extendable, allowing it to lap up liquid nectar
- Wings – Small, lightweight wings with flexible joints that permit hovering and rapid direction changes
- Metabolism – Extremely high metabolism enables the rapid energy production needed for flight; heart rate up to 1,260 beats per minute
- Leg muscles – Underdeveloped leg muscles conserve energy for the more critical flight muscles
- Weight – Weighing just 2-6 grams allows superb aerial agility
- Feathers – Sparse, lightweight plumage prevents overheating and minimizes air resistance
From its specialized tongue to its enlarged flight muscles, the ruby throated hummingbird’s anatomy reflects its primary adaptation: flight. This lifestyle requires an incredible amount of energy supported by the bird’s unique adaptations.
Reproduction and Offspring
Here are some key facts about ruby throated hummingbird reproduction and their young:
- Breeding occurs in spring and summer throughout the bird’s northern range
- Males perform elaborate courtship displays, diving to excite females
- Females build a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down, bud scales, and spider silk
- Nest is only around 2 inches wide and usually located on a downward-sloping tree limb
- Clutch size is just 2 pea-sized white eggs
- Incubation lasts 12-14 days; young hatch altricial, naked, and helpless
- Mother feeds the chicks with regurgitated sugar water and insects
- Nestlings fledge in 16-28 days, gaining independence soon after
- Female cares for the young without assistance from the male
Ruby throated hummingbird reproduction reflects the bird’s small size and energetic lifestyle. From their diminutive eggs to the challenges of raising fast-growing chicks, ruby throats are adapted for efficient breeding and rapid offspring development.
Diet and Feeding
The ruby throated hummingbird has a specialized high-energy diet to fuel its metabolically taxing lifestyle:
- Primarily feeds on nectar from flowers via its long extendable tongue
- Favorite flowers include columbines, trumpet vines, bee balms, and others with vivid colors and tubular shapes
- Also consumes tree sap, sugar water from feeders, and sweet juices from pierced fruit
- Eats small insects and spiders to obtain proteins, minerals, and other nutrients
- Traps insect prey such as gnats, fruit flies, aphids, and spiders while hovering or flying
- Requires immense quantities of energy and can starve after just a few hours without food
- Must consume approximately half its body weight in sugar daily from nectar
The ruby throated hummingbird relies primarily on sugary nectar from flowers and feeders to fuel its high metabolism. This diet is supplemented by extra nutrients from small insects and spiders.
Habitat and Range
The ruby throated hummingbird can be found across much of eastern North America in a variety of habitats:
- Summer breeding range extends across the eastern U.S. into Canada
- Winters along the U.S. Gulf Coast, Mexico, and in Florida
- Most widespread and common hummingbird in eastern North America
- Drawn to open meadows, yards, parks, orchards, and other areas with flowers
- Readily adapts to wooded suburban and semiurban areas
- Occurs in mountains up to tree line but is rare in dense forest
- Also found in wetlands if flowering plants are present
With its ability to thrive around human habitation, the ruby throated hummingbird is one backyard bird that has likely expanded its range by taking advantage of bird feeders as reliable supplemental food sources.
Conservation Status
The ruby throated hummingbird has a large range and stable population trend. According to the 2016 State of North America’s Birds report by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, the bird has a population estimate of 7,300,000 with a relative abundance of 52%. Its conservation status is classified as:
- Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
- Least Concern on the State of North America’s Birds Watch List 2016
These designations indicate the ruby throated hummingbird is not considered threatened or near threatened at this time. The species is common across its extensive habitat range. Maintaining adequate food sources through flowering plants and feeders may help support healthy ruby throated hummingbird populations.
Interesting Facts
A few more fascinating facts about the ruby throated hummingbird include:
- The species name colubris comes from the Latin for snake, referring to the bird’s quick, snakelike flight
- Ruby throats beat their wings 12-80 times per second, depending on speed
- Their wings rotate in a full circle enabling swift direction changes and hovering
- Male ruby throat’s courtship display dives can reach speeds over 60 km/h
- One of the smallest birds, it weighs less than a penny but has a heart the size of a pea
- A nest with eggs is about the size of a walnut and may be reused for a second brood
- Young chicks can weigh up to 3 times as much as their mother
- The oldest known wild ruby throated hummingbird was 9 years old
From aerial displays to astonishing metabolism, ruby throated hummingbirds showcase a range of remarkable adaptations that enable their tiny size and hyperactive lifestyle.
Conclusion
With its shimmering red throat patch and restless disposition, the ruby throated hummingbird is one of North America’s most flashy and familiar backyard birds. Its scientific name of Archilochus colubris identifies the solitary genus and snake-like flight characteristics of this petite species. An energetic lifestyle and unique anatomical adaptations allow ruby throats to occupy an extensive breeding range across eastern North America. With a stable population and ability to thrive among human dwellings, the ruby throated hummingbird continues to dazzle birdwatchers with its speedy flight and fiery color.
