Hummingbirds are bright, beautiful birds that capture the imagination with their iridescent plumage, speedy flight, and enthusiasm for visiting flowers and feeders. They are found naturally only in the Americas, with most species occurring in Central and South America. However, several species regularly migrate north to spend the summer breeding across North America. Washington State, with its abundant wildflowers and flowering shrubs, is an excellent summer home for hummingbirds. Among the species that can be found there is one particularly striking hummer with rust-colored plumage. This article will explore the natural history of this hummingbird, how to identify it, and where it can be found in Washington.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The rust-colored hummingbird found in Washington is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). The Ruby-throated is the most widely distributed and commonly observed hummingbird in eastern North America. However, it is less frequently encountered west of the Rocky Mountains. Each summer, some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate all the way to the Pacific Coast, including parts of Washington. This species is named for the iridescent ruby red gorget (throat feathers) found on the adult male. When the light catches these feathers just right, they blaze brightly. Females lack the ruby gorget and are more drably colored, with white underparts and greenish upperparts. Both the male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbird display a fairly straight and slender bill that sets them apart from some similar species.
Identification
Identifying the Ruby-throated Hummingbird starts with recognizing some key field marks:
- Greenish upperparts
- White underparts
- Ruby red gorget on adult males
- Fairly straight and slender bill
The male’s ruby gorget is unmistakable. Females and immature birds are more tricky to distinguish. Here are some similar species that may cause confusion:
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird is the most common and widespread hummingbird in the Pacific Northwest. Males are bright rufous (rusty) colored on the back and belly. Females are greener above, whitish below with rusty sides. They have a slightly downcurved bill that is needle-thin at the tip.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbirds are green above and rufous below like Rufous but have a shorter bill with a longer base. Males have an orange throat while females have a pale throat with some speckling.
Calliope Hummingbird
Tiny Calliope Hummingbirds have a straight, slender bill like the Ruby-throated. Males have magenta throat feathers while females have tiny dark speckles. Calliopes are the smallest breeding hummingbird in the U.S.
Taking note of the bill shape, throat color, and body size and proportions will help distinguish between these species. Finding a male Ruby-throat in the west eliminates any confusion over identity. Females and young birds are more challenging but paying attention to details can clinch the identification.
Range and Habitat
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird breeds across most of eastern North America. After breeding, individuals migrate south to spend the winter in Central America or southern Mexico. Each spring, some Ruby-throats get off course and cross over the Rocky Mountains. Every year a small number of these hummingbirds reach the Pacific Coast, including Washington State.
In Washington, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird can be found in a variety of semi-open habitats, wherever there are enough flowers to provide nectar. Backyard gardens, parks with ornamental plantings, and lightly wooded suburbs all attract these wandering hummers. Good nectar sources like bee balm, trumpet creeper, and hummingbird feeders will help draw in Ruby-throats during their summer travels.
Here is a map showing the summer range of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, with the Pacific Northwest highlighted at the edge of their regular breeding grounds:
Behavior
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are solitary and territorial. Males will aggressively defend feeding areas from other males of the same or different species. Females defend nesting areas from intrusion by other females. Despite their small size, hummers are ferociously competitive when necessary.
Male Ruby-throats perform elaborate aerial courtship displays to impress females. They fly in wide loops up to 100 feet in the air while making a buzzing “trilling” vocalization. Then they quickly dive down towards the female before rapidly ascending once again.
Nesting duties are performed solely by the female. She builds a compact cup nest of plant down, spider webs, and lichens anchored to a small tree limb. She will lay 2 pea-sized white eggs and incubate them for 12-16 days while also caring for the hatchlings. The nestlings will fledge in about 3 weeks, after which they are on their own.
Ruby-throats beat their wings up to 70 times per second, enabling them flight speeds over 30 mph. This allows them to aggressively chase intruders and effectively seek out patches of flowers for nectar. They visit a wide variety of flowering plants and are important pollinators for many species. At backyard feeders, they prefer sugar-water solutions containing 25% sugar or more.
Threats and Conservation
Ruby-throated Hummingbird populations are generally stable across their range. In Washington, they may face some threats as rare visitors. Use of pesticides can reduce insect prey for hummingbirds. Outdoor cats may pick off visiting hummers at feeders. Habitat loss reduces flowering plants and nest sites. Providing a pesticide-free yard with native flowers and nesting shrubs can support migrant Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Cats should be kept indoors. Avoid trimming back vegetation while birds may be nesting from April through July.
Specific conservation actions targeted towards Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have not been implemented in Washington. However, efforts to provide habitat for more common resident hummers like the Anna’s Hummingbird will also benefit migrant Ruby-throats when they pass through. Planting tubular flowers rich in nectar (such as sages, penstemons, and columbines) and providing clean hummingbird feeders with quality sugar water will help create a welcoming oasis for these long-distance avian travelers.
Summary
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is an iridescent gem of the eastern United States that occasionally wings its way to the opposite coast. In Washington, birders particularly prize sightings of these vagrant hummingbirds. Finding a flashing ruby gorget among the flowers in summer is a special thrill. Even the more muted females stand out from western hummers if observed patiently. Though just passing through, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds grace the region with their beauty and their interesting life history bridging the continent. Providing habitat free of pesticides and cats will benefit these remarkable migratory pollinators.
Top 5 facts about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Washington
- They are mostly found east of the Rockies but migrate west occasionally
- Males have a bright ruby-red throat
- They make audible buzzing and trilling sounds
- Nest is tiny – about 1 inch across
- Beat wings up to 70 times per second
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in Washington?
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are uncommon to rare summer visitors in Washington, west of their normal breeding range. Only a few individuals, mainly males, are sighted each year. They should not be expected but are a pleasant surprise when they do turn up.
What time of year do Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appear in Washington?
Most sightings are between May and September, corresponding to the breeding season. Spring records represent overshooting migrants that ended up too far west. Fall migrants pass through August to October on their way back southeast.
Where are good places to look for Ruby-throats in Washington?
Ruby-throats turn up in urban and suburban yards, parks, and other semi-open habitats. Providing nectar feeders and flowers may help attract them. Hotlines like Tweeters and eBird can indicate current sightings.
What plants do Ruby-throats like in Washington?
They take nectar from many typical hummingbird flowers – bee balm, fuchsia, columbine, penstemon, trumpet vine, etc. They also glean insects from trees and shrubs, especially willows.
How can I attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds?
Providing a habitat rich in spring through fall blooms with tubular flowers in red, orange, and pink tones will appeal to Ruby-throats and other hummers. Have clean feeders up from April through October with a 25% sugar nectar solution. Avoid using pesticides.
Conclusion
The ruby gorget flashing through the foliage catches the eye and imagination, drawing interest to this diminutive visitor. While a rare find west of the Rockies, the chance of spotting a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Washington exists each summer. These tiny travelers link the opposite ends of the continent, flying thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. With thoughtful landscaping and hummingbird feeders, we can create inviting spaces for these flying jewels to rest and refuel as they pass through the Pacific Northwest. The fleeting glimpse of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird remains a delightful mid-summer surprise.
