Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Key Facts & Natural History

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.

By Kaiser Khan , Founder Last reviewed July 10, 2026 How we research & review

Key takeaway

Overview

Biology

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is classified as Bird with conservation status Least Concern. Typical weight 2–6 g (about a penny); lifespan around 3–5 years.

Ecology

Diet: Nectarivore (also small insects). Habitat: Gardens, woodlands, meadows. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.

People and this species

Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.

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.

Research notes

Figures for ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.

Practical takeaways

If you encounter ruby-throated hummingbirds in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Least Concern) when discussing conservation.

Sources

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