Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Quick answer
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a tiny North American bird that weighs only about 3 grams and beats its wings around 50 times per second. It can hover in place and even fly backward while feeding on flower nectar, and males have a brilliant red throat patch. These hummingbirds migrate thousands of kilometers and live around 3 to 5 years.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Archilochus colubris |
|---|---|
| Diet | Nectarivore (also small insects) |
| Habitat | Gardens, woodlands, meadows |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Weight | 2–6 g (about a penny) |
| Top speed | 50 km/h (30 mph) in flight |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
Where it lives
Breeds across eastern North America and migrates to Central America for winter.
Behavior and flight
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can truly hover and fly backward, achieved by beating their wings in a rapid figure-eight pattern up to 50 times per second. This extreme effort gives them one of the fastest heart rates of any animal, exceeding 1,000 beats per minute in flight. At night or in cold weather, they enter a deep, sleep-like state called torpor to save energy.
Diet and feeding
Ruby-throated hummingbirds feed mainly on flower nectar, which they lap up with a long, grooved tongue, visiting hundreds of blossoms a day. They also catch small insects and spiders for protein, especially when feeding young. Because of their high metabolism, they must eat very frequently throughout the day.
Habitat and migration
These birds breed across eastern North America in gardens, woodland edges, and meadows with abundant flowers. Each autumn they migrate to Central America, and many cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single nonstop flight of around 800 km (500 mi). They return north in spring, often to the same gardens year after year.
Conservation
The ruby-throated hummingbird is listed as Least Concern, with a large and stable population. Backyard nectar feeders and native flowering plants help support them, though pesticide use and habitat loss can reduce the insects and flowers they depend on. Keeping feeders clean is important to prevent disease.
Frequently asked questions about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird
How fast do hummingbirds flap their wings?
Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings around 50 times per second during normal flight, and even faster during courtship dives. This rapid motion produces the humming sound that gives them their name.
Can hummingbirds really fly backward?
Yes. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward and hover in place, thanks to a unique figure-eight wing stroke that generates lift on both the forward and backward motion.
What do hummingbirds eat?
They feed mostly on flower nectar, which provides quick energy, and also eat small insects and spiders for protein. They visit hundreds of flowers each day to fuel their fast metabolism.
How long do hummingbirds live?
Most ruby-throated hummingbirds live 3 to 5 years, though some banded individuals have reached around 9 years. Their first year is the most dangerous, with high mortality among young birds.
Do hummingbirds migrate?
Yes. Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate from eastern North America to Central America each year, and many fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico, a journey of roughly 800 km (500 mi).
How much does a hummingbird weigh?
A ruby-throated hummingbird weighs only about 3 grams, roughly the same as a penny. This tiny size is part of why it needs to feed almost constantly throughout the day.
