Ruby-throated Hummingbird

A steady wing hum runs underneath clipped chittering calls as the birds dart through an aggressive chase.

Strongly migratory except in far southern Florida. They breed in the Eastern and Central US (and southern Canada) from spring to early fall, then migrate to the tropics. Absent in winter from most of the US except occasional strays or along the Gulf Coast and southern Florida where a few might overwinter. They begin arriving on breeding grounds in March (southern states) to May (northern states). Depart in late summer and early fall; most are gone by October. Thus, common from roughly April to September in temperate North America. A few individuals will linger or overwinter along the Gulf Coast or extreme South if the climate is mild and feeders/flowers are available, but this is not the norm.

Open woodlands, gardens, yards, parks – anywhere with nectar sources. Breeds in deciduous or mixed forests and forest edges across the East, often near openings with flowers. Common around suburban flower gardens, orchards, and in rural meadows that have patches of trees for nesting. During migration, seen in a variety of habitats including coastal dunes, city parks, and farm groves. Winters in southern Mexico through Central America in diverse habitats from gardens to forest edges. Needs flowering plants for nectar and small insects for protein, so habitats with those resources are favored.

Males arrive on breeding territories in early spring (often 1–2 weeks before females) and immediately stake claim to good feeding areas, aggressively chasing intruders. Breeding occurs late spring through summer; females build tiny cup nests on tree branches (often overhanging water). Only females care for the young. By late summer, adults and newly fledged juveniles fatten up for migration, feeding intensely at flowers and feeders (peak hummingbird feeder activity is often August). Fall migration (Aug-Sep) sees them funnel toward the Gulf Coast, with many taking a nonstop flight across the Gulf to Yucatán. On wintering grounds (Oct-Mar), they maintain territories around rich nectar areas. In spring (Feb-Apr), they return north; adult males are usually first to arrive. They have a hyperactive daily routine – visiting hundreds of flowers a day – and in breeding season, males spend much time performing aerial displays and chases in addition to feeding.

A tiny hummingbird and the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. Males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red throat patch (gorget) that can appear black in some angles, a metallic green back, and a grayish-white underside. Females lack the red throat; they are green above and whitish below, often with some faint streaking or spotting on the throat. Both sexes have a slender, straight black bill and rapid wingbeats creating a humming sound. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are agile fliers that hover at flowers and feeders. In summer they are found in gardens, wood edges, and anywhere with abundant blooms or feeders. They are very small (about 3.5 inches long) and extremely quick in flight.