The ruby-throated hummingbird 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. It is the most common hummingbird in eastern North America, having population estimates of about 35 million in 2021.
Region
Eastern North America and Central America
Typical Environment
Breeds from the Gulf Coast to southern Canada across the eastern half of North America, favoring wood edges, gardens, and open deciduous forests. Winters mainly in southern Mexico, the Yucatán, and Central America, using tropical forests, scrub, and plantations. Common around nectar-rich gardens and feeders in suburbs and rural areas. Often follows flowering phenology and uses riparian corridors and meadows during migration.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that regularly breeds in eastern North America. Males display an iridescent ruby-red throat patch that can look black in poor light. Many individuals migrate across the Gulf of Mexico in a nonstop flight during spring and fall. They hover with extremely rapid wingbeats and can fly backward and sideways.
Close-up of toe arrangement in a ruby-throated hummingbird foot, showing three claw-like toes forward and one backward.
Male (lower left) displaying its prominent gorget and a female ruby-throated hummingbird
Albino individual at a feeder, in Ontario
Female feeding on nectar from scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma)
Female ruby-throated hummingbird on nest
Female ruby-throated hummingbird taking various defensive and evasive actions around a man-made feeder.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of breeding and fiercely defends rich nectar sources. Males perform shuttle displays; they do not assist with nesting. Females build tiny cup nests from plant down bound with spider silk and camouflage them with lichens, laying two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and rapid chatters rather than a complex song. The wingbeats produce a characteristic humming, and males add buzzy trills during display flights.
