Ruby Throated Hummingbird Food

A flash of green and red the ruby throated hummingbird is eastern north america s sole breeding hummingbird.

Ruby throated hummingbird food.

In my neck of the woods new hampshire we have only one type of hummer the ruby throated hummingbird. The ruby throated hummingbird archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in central america mexico and florida and migrates to canada and other parts of eastern north america for the summer to breed. Feeders and flower gardens are great ways to attract these birds and some people turn their yards into buzzing clouds of hummingbirds each summer. Following a land route lets them stop to rest and refuel but they can t count on easy food all along the way.

Take a moment to listen to the call of the ruby throated hummingbird. Ruby throated hummingbirds get all the water they need from the nectar they drink. The ruby throated hummingbird prefers to live in deciduous and pine forests farm orchards and flowering gardens. They do not need to drink water.

The ruby throated hummingbird weighs less than a nickel and like all hummingbird species including the calliope and rufous it is a master of flight beating its wings 60 to 80 times a second this tiny sprite creates a blur of motion and a whirring insect like sound. Local environments of the ruby throated hummingbird. Hummingbirds also catch insects in midair or pull them out of spider webs. Ruby throated hummingbirds fly at night for most of their journey across the gulf of mexico.

They are fascinating little creatures. These brilliant tiny precision flying creatures glitter like jewels in the full sun then vanish with a zip toward the next nectar source. In fact ruby throated hummingbirds often double in weight allowing them to fly nearly 600 miles without having to stop for food. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the mississippi river in north america.

Hummingbird metabolism and survival and adaption interesting information. An adult ruby throated hummingbird may eat twice its body weight in food each day which it burns up with the high metabolism necessary to sustain its rapid wing beat and energetic movements. Learn more about hummingbirds here.