Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Among Missouri's best known birds, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have a special place in the hearts of many. Although Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are traditionally residents of rich bottomland forests, the abundance of hummingbird feeders has attracted this species into open areas where it can be observed and enjoyed. Hummingbirds frequent parks and towns and sometimes nest near feeders and flower gardens. However, finding a nest is still a difficult task. Feeders containing sugar water easily attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, which can become quite tame. Several hummingbirds at one locality can consume a gallon or more of sugar water a day.

Code Frequency

Although breeding was confirmed in only 11 percent of the blocks, this species was observed in appropriate habitat in 65 percent of blocks. Most confirmations were based on observations of fledglings, but remarkably, 26 nests were discovered. Atlasers frequently checked for feeders outside each house to document this species. In some instances, Atlasers relied on landowners to document the occurrence of hummingbirds. Reports from the feeder operator about nests they had seen was accepted as confirmation of breeding. Because nests were hard to locate, hummingbirds may have bred in most blocks where they were found. However, lingering migrants may have been included in these records and the distribution may not accurately reflect the state's breeding population.

Average Number of Birds / 100 stops

Distribution

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were found statewide, with fewer recorded in the Mississippi Lowlands and northern half of the Glaciated Plains natural divisions. These regions, with their extensive cropland, do not contain adequate habitat for hummingbirds.

Abundance

Results from Miniroutes and Breeding Bird Surveys suggest that the greatest relative abundance was in the Ozark and Osage Plains natural divisions, with slightly fewer in the Ozark Border Natural Division. Widmann (1907) similarly postulated that this species was most numerous in the Ozarks and the areas around bluffs along large rivers. Because areas in the Osage Plains are now much more wooded than in Widmann's time, this natural division may presently be more attractive to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds than in the past.

Phenology

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically rear two, sometimes three broods (Ehrlich et al. 1988). Nests found May 8 through July 8 may provide evidence of multiple nesting in Missouri. Nest building observed between May 13 and June 16 is consistent with two broods. Incubation and fledging require 25-42 days (Ehrlich et al. 1988).

Breeding Evidence

Reported in 781 (64.7%) of 1,207 blocks

Home|Lists of Illustrations and Tables|Preface|Acknowledgments|Introduction|The Natural Divisions of Missouri|Guide to Species Accounts|Index of Bird Accounts|Appendix A.|Appendix B.|Appendix C.|Appendix D.|Appendix E.|Literature Cited