Wild Guide: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Status

Common migrant and summer resident

Size

¾ inches

Distribution

Statewide

Ruby-throated hummingbirds begin arriving in April, peak in August, and are almost gone by October. These pint-sized birds, with their needlelike bills, hover and fly forward and backward with a humming sound. They also make a variety of chips, squeals, and twitters.

Males are metallic green with a red throat that flashes ruby red in the light but otherwise may look black. Their tails are black and deeply forked. Females are also a metallic green. Their tails are tricolored — green at the base, black in the middle, with three outer tail feathers tipped with white.

Ecosystem Connections

Hummingbirds are important pollinators for many species of plants that require their needlelike bill. For example, hummingbirds serve as the eastern red columbine’s number one pollinator. Their northward migration matches the columbine’s bloom time. In addition, hummingbirds cross-pollinate trumpet creeper as they forage. In fact, the trumpet creeper’s range nearly matches that of the ruby-throated hummingbird.

Human Connections

People love to watch hummingbirds whether they’re buzzing around a nectar feeder or flowers in a garden. Native-plant landscaping is a great way to feed hummers while also decorating your yard. Although red and orange flowers are most attractive to hummingbirds, blue, purple, and white flowers are also visited. Some favorites include beebalm, blazing stars, blue sage, wild columbine, fire pink, foxglove beardtongue, jewelweed, summer phlox, royal catchfly, and Solomon’s seal.