Ruby Throated Hummingbird Fun Facts

Sometimes a ruby throated hummingbird is mistaken for a hummingbird moth which despite flying slower than the hummingbird also exhibits a rapid wing pattern.

Ruby throated hummingbird fun facts.

The ruby throated grows 2 8 3 5 long with a 3 1 4 3 wingspan. During the summer the ruby throated hummingbird migrates to northeast america then travelling to central america mexico and florida in the winter season. If you live in the united states you ve probably seen them fluttering around during the summertime. 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.

Young ruby throated hummingbirds are fed insects for protein since nectar is an insufficient source of protein for the growing birds. Ruby throated hummingbirds are solitary adults of this species typically only come into contact for the purpose of mating. To get there from their north american breeding grounds some birds embark on a marathon nonstop flight across the gulf of mexico. The female ruby throated hummingbird feeds the chicks from 1 to 3 times every hour by regurgitation usually while the female continues to hover.

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards. The ruby throated hummingbirds are a solitary species. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell. The name hummingbird comes from the humming noise their wings make as they beat so fast.

It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the mississippi river in north america. Perhaps you ve heard them too the name hummingbird comes from the buzzing sound of their fast flapping wings. These are just some of the most interesting facts about ruby throated hummingbirds. Brightly colored and mesmerizing hummingbirds are some of the most interesting of the nearly 10 000 bird species in the world.

Males of this species are territorial and communicate with each other primarily through vocalizations if a neighboring male intrudes on a male territory the resident male emits a single note which is repeated at increasing volume. Ruby throated hummingbirds winter in mexico and central america. While they can t sniff out feeders they do have good color vision. Both are so fast moving making it so difficult to see them.

There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds and they can only be found in the western hemisphere although there have been a few sightings in mexico in the us pacific coast and canada.