Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a tiny, green-backed bird found in gardens and along forest edges in the eastern United States. The adult male’s throat shines red in good light, while females and young birds lack that red patch. It hovers at flowers to drink nectar and can fly backward.

Appearance

Appearance: A tiny green-backed bird with a slender bill. An adult male has a glowing red throat; a female has a pale throat.

Look-alikes

Black-chinned HummingbirdArchilochus alexandri

In good light, an adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) has a purple band on a dark throat; an adult male Ruby-throated has a red throat. On a perched female, Ruby-throated’s tail extends well beyond the wingtips, while Black-chinned’s wings reach about to the tail tip.

Why they get mixed upFemales and young birds of both species are green above and pale below.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Eastern woodlands
Forest edges
Gardens
Range: It breeds across the eastern United States and into Canada. Most spend winter in Mexico and Central America, though some remain along the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Florida.
Seasonal presence: A summer breeder in much of the eastern U.S.; most migrate south for winter.
Migration: Some cross the Gulf of Mexico, while others follow its coast.

Behavior

Diet: It drinks nectar and eats small insects and spiders.
Activity: It hovers at flowers and can fly backward.

Life cycle

Nest: The female builds a small cup on a slender tree branch with plant down and spider silk.
Clutch size: 1–3 eggs
Incubation: 12–14 days

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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