Bird Science - Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: A Tiny Marvel of Nature
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a small, vibrant bird native to eastern North America. Known for its iridescent red throat patch in males and its remarkable agility, this species is the most common hummingbird in the eastern United States and Canada.
Physical Characteristics
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Size: 2.8–3.5 inches long with a wingspan of 3.1–4.3 inches.
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Weight: 0.071–0.212 ounces, with males averaging 0.12 ounces and females 0.13 ounces.
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Appearance: Adults have metallic green upperparts and grayish-white underparts. Males have a brilliant red throat patch and a forked tail, while females have a notched tail with green, black, and white bands.
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Bill: Long, straight, and slender, up to 0.79 inches.
Distribution and Habitat
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Breeding Range: Eastern United States and southeastern Canada, particularly in deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, and gardens.
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Winter Range: Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with some birds overwintering in Florida.
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Migration: Known for its incredible nonstop flight across the Gulf of Mexico, covering up to 500 miles.
Behavior and Ecology
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Diet: Feeds primarily on nectar from flowers, tree sap, and small insects and spiders.
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Flight: Capable of hovering and flying backward, with wingbeats reaching up to 80 times per second.
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Metabolism: Extremely high, with heart rates up to 1260 beats per minute and a breathing rate of about 250 breaths per minute.
- Territorial: Males are highly territorial and defend their feeding areas aggressively.
Reproduction
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Nesting: Females build small, cup-shaped nests in trees or shrubs, using plant fibers, lichen, and spider silk.
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Eggs: Typically lay 2 white eggs, with 1–2 broods per season.
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Incubation: 12–14 days, with chicks fledging after 18–22 days.
Conservation Status
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Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a population estimated at 35 million in 2021.
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Threats: Predation by small raptors, cats, and other animals. Males have a higher mortality rate due to the energetic demands of breeding and migration.
Fun Facts
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Longevity: The oldest recorded Ruby-throated Hummingbird lived to be 9 years and 1 month.
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Migration: Some birds double their body weight in preparation for the long flight across the Gulf of Mexico.
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Courtship: Males perform elaborate dive displays and produce a distinctive "tik-tik" sound with their wings.