Ruby Throated Hummingbird Fun Facts

While they can t sniff out feeders they do have good color vision.

Ruby throated hummingbird fun facts.

Perhaps you ve heard them too the name hummingbird comes from the buzzing sound of their fast flapping wings. 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. From their physical attributes to peculiar behaviors hummingbirds possess interesting qualities that make them unique from other birds. These are just some of the most interesting facts about ruby throated hummingbirds.

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. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the mississippi river in north america. During the summer the ruby throated hummingbird migrates to northeast america then travelling to central america mexico and florida in the winter season. 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. Both are so fast moving making it so difficult to see them. 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.

Ruby throated hummingbirds winter in mexico and central america. Hummingbirds have no sense of smell. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards. 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.

Young ruby throated hummingbirds are fed insects for protein since nectar is an insufficient source of protein for the growing birds. The ruby throated hummingbirds are a solitary species. The ruby throated grows 2 8 3 5 long with a 3 1 4 3 wingspan. Ruby throated hummingbirds are solitary adults of this species typically only come into contact for the purpose of mating.

Sometimes a ruby throated hummingbird is mistaken for a hummingbird moth which despite flying slower than the hummingbird also exhibits a rapid wing pattern.