Ruby Throated Hummingbird Fun Facts

The ruby throated hummingbird female lays eggs about the size of peas.

Ruby throated hummingbird fun facts.

Ruby throated hummingbirds are solitary adults of this species typically only come into contact for the purpose of mating. Some birds like the ruby throated hummingbird prefer orange or red flowers. To get there from their north american breeding grounds some birds embark on a marathon nonstop flight across the gulf of mexico. The ruby throated grows 2 8 3 5 long with a 3 1 4 3 wingspan.

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. While they can t sniff out feeders they do have good color vision. The ruby throated hummingbirds are a solitary species. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the mississippi river in north america.

If you live in the united states you ve probably seen them fluttering around during the summertime. 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. Perhaps you ve heard them too the name hummingbird comes from the buzzing sound of their fast flapping wings. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards.

These are just some of the most interesting facts about ruby throated hummingbirds. 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. Ruby throated hummingbirds winter in mexico and central america. The female ruby throated hummingbird feeds the chicks from 1 to 3 times every hour by regurgitation usually while the female continues to hover.

The name hummingbird comes from the humming noise their wings make as they beat so fast. From their physical attributes to peculiar behaviors hummingbirds possess interesting qualities that make them unique from other birds. Sometimes a ruby throated hummingbird is mistaken for a hummingbird moth which despite flying slower than the hummingbird also exhibits a rapid wing pattern. Brightly colored and mesmerizing hummingbirds are some of the most interesting of the nearly 10 000 bird species in the world.

Hummingbirds have no sense of smell.