Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, is a small hummingbird. It is 7-9 cm long with a 8-11 cm wingspan, and weighs 2-6 g.

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Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below. Their bill is long, straight and very slender. The adult male, shown in the photo, has a glossy ruby red throat patch and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch.

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The breeding habitat is open areas throughout most of eastern North America and the Canadian prairies. The female builds a nest in a protected location in a shrub or tree. The male aggressively defends feeding locations within his territory.

Related Topics:
North America - Canadian - Prairie

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The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is migratory, spending most of the winter in Mexico or Central America.

Related Topics:
Migratory - Mexico - Central America

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These birds feed on nectar from flowers using a long extendable tongue or catch insects on the wing.

Related Topics:
Nectar - Flower - Insect

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Due to their small size, they are vulnerable to insect-eating birds and animals. These birds require frequent feeding while active during the day and become at night to conserve energy. This is the only hummingbird commonly found in eastern North America.

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The most famous poem about a hummingbird is probably the one penned by Emily Dickinson in 1879 about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

Related Topics:
Emily Dickinson - 1879

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A Route of Evanescence,

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With a revolving Wheel -

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A Resonance of Emerald

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A Rush of Cochineal -

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And every Blossom on the Bush

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Adjusts its tumbled Head -

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The Mail from Tunis - probably,

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An easy Morning's Ride -

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