Ruby-throated

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris
• Spanish Name: Colibrí garganta rubí
• Family: Trochilidae
• Known Nicknames: Ruby-throat
• Average Length: 7–9 cm / 2.8–3.5 in
• Average Weight: 2–6 g / 0.07–0.21 oz
• Wingspan: 8–11 cm / 3.1–4.3 in
• Key Feature: Iridescent ruby-red throat patch (gorget) in males and metallic green back
• Primary Diet: Nectarivore (Nectar and small insects/spiders)
• Range: Breeds in Eastern North America and Southern Canada; winters in Mexico and Central America
• Habitat: Deciduous forests, forest edges, orchards, and suburban gardens
• Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
• Nesting/Breeding: Small cup-shaped nests constructed from plant down and spider silk on tree branches
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Population Trend: Stable

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (*Archilochus colubris*) is a tiny, vibrant marvel of the avian world, most famous for the adult male’s brilliant, iridescent red throat patch that glimmers like a gemstone in the sunlight. These diminutive birds feature metallic emerald-green feathers along their backs and crowns, contrasting with pale greyish-white underparts and slender, needle-like bills perfectly adapted for sipping nectar. Renowned for their incredible aerial agility, they are among the few birds capable of sustained hovering and even flying backward, powered by wing beats that can exceed 50 times per second. Despite their delicate appearance, these "flying jewels" are remarkably hardy, undertaking an extraordinary migratory journey across the Gulf of Mexico each year, a feat that showcases their incredible endurance and specialized high-speed metabolism.

Faits amusants

These tiny powerhouses are the only hummingbirds that breed in eastern North America, famously crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single non-stop flight during migration. They weigh less than a nickel but possess incredible aerial agility, capable of flying backwards, upside down, and hovering with wings beating over 50 times per second. To conserve energy during cold nights, they enter a deep sleep-like state called torpor, slowing their heart rate from 1,200 beats per minute to as few as 50. Despite their size, they are notoriously feisty, frequently engaging in high-speed "dogfights" to defend their nectar sources from much larger intruders.

Habitats et répartition

The breeding range spans across eastern North America, from southern Canada through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast. During the winter, a long-distance migration takes place toward Central America, covering regions from southern Mexico to Panama, although some populations may remain in southern Florida or parts of the Caribbean. Preferred environments include deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, and orchards, as well as human-altered landscapes like suburban gardens and city parks. In wintering territories, habitats shift toward tropical dry forests, scrublands, and citrus groves, where nectar-rich flowers and insects are plentiful.

Comportements & Reproduction

These birds are solitary and highly territorial, often defending nectar sources through aggressive aerial displays, dives, and vocalizations. During the breeding season, males perform spectacular courtship rituals, including U-shaped pendulum dives and rapid side-to-side shuttle flights to attract mates. The species is polygynous, with males mating with multiple females and providing no parental care. Once mating concludes, the social interaction ends, and the male departs to defend his territory while the female takes on all nesting responsibilities. The female constructs a tiny, cup-shaped nest using plant down and bud scales, camouflaging the exterior with lichen. A unique reproductive strategy involves the use of spider silk to bind the nest, which allows the structure to stretch and expand as the chicks grow. She typically lays two pea-sized eggs and incubates them alone for approximately two weeks. After hatching, she feeds the nestlings a protein-rich diet of small insects and nectar until they are ready to fledge about three weeks later.

Alimentation

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird primarily sustains its high-energy lifestyle by consuming large quantities of floral nectar, but it also relies significantly on protein from small insects and spiders, which it catches in mid-air or gleans from vegetation. These birds possess a remarkable metabolism that requires them to feed every ten to fifteen minutes, often consuming up to half their body weight in food daily to maintain their rapid wing beats and heart rate. An interesting behavior is their opportunistic use of tree sap; when nectar-producing flowers are unavailable, they frequent holes drilled by sapsuckers to drink the sugary liquid and eat the insects trapped within it. Their specialized tongues are not simple straws but rather complex structures that expand to trap nectar through fluid tension, allowing them to lap up liquid at an astonishing speed. As they move between vibrant, tubular flowers, they serve as essential pollinators, inadvertently transferring pollen while seeking the sugar-rich fuel necessary for their survival and long-distance migrations.

Couleurs

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird features a metallic emerald-green back and crown for camouflage against foliage, contrasted by a pale white underside. Adult males possess a signature iridescent ruby-red throat gorget that shifts to black in certain lighting, while females display a plain white throat and white-tipped outer tail feathers. Their iridescent feathers create shimmering patterns that change with the angle of light, aiding in both display and concealment.

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