Here Come the Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Description: 3 1/2" in size, weighing an average of 3.5 grams. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of the most colorful visitors to backyard gardens. The male Ruby-throat stands out with its metallic green coloring on its head and back, white below; and brilliant, iridescent red throat. Immature males lack the red throat. Females are green above, with white throat and breast, buff sides, and white-tipped outer tail feathers. Hummingbirds are also known for their needle-like bill and swift, constant movement.
Voice: Mouse-like, twittering squeaks.

Habitat: Suburban gardens, parks, and woodlands.

Nesting: 2 white eggs in a woven nest of plants, such as thistle, dandelions, ferns, mosses and young leaves, held together and attached to trees with spider webs and pine resin. Nests can be found 5 to 20 feet high in Oaks, Maples, Beech, Birch, Poplar and Pine Trees.

Range: The Ruby-throat is the only hummingbird that breeds east of Mississippi River. In the summer they can be found from Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma and eastern Texas all the way east to the Atlantic coast. Ruby-throats will travel as far as Southern Canada. Ruby-throats spend the winter primarily in Central America, reaching as far south as northern Panama.

Migration Info: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spend the winter along the west coast of Mexico and through Central America. Spring migration involves several different routes: Some travel north along the east coast of Mexico, while others migrate across the Gulf of Mexico, presumably departing from the Yucatan Peninsula. Large numbers have been observed flying low over wave tops off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Males appear along the U.S. Gulf coast in late February, 8 to 10 days ahead of the females. The males fly north, before the females and younger birds, scouting for food sources and breeding grounds. The timing of northward movements is variable and appears to depend on the blooming of favored nectar plants along the way. Ruby-throated hummingbirds return to Pennsylvania around April 1st-15th; that is why it has been suggested to put feeders out as early as the end of March. In the extreme north, the arrival of the hummingbirds may be timed to follow the migration of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. These woodpeckers open sap wells that may be crucial food sources for Ruby-throats in the absence of floral nectar.

Food & Water Sources: Ruby-throated hummingbirds feed on the nectar from flowers, shrubs and vines during the day. They draw the nectar from the flowers while hovering, but will perch if possible. Insects, such as mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies and small bees, make up a large part of their diet. Insects are eaten in mid air and picked up from leaves and the bark of trees. They may also eat spiders, caterpillars and aphids. Hummingbird feeders may also be used to attract Ruby-throats to backyards and gardens. Nectar and insects consumed provide the hummingbird with an adequate amount of water. Although, providing a source of running water, like a pond's waterfall or stream or a fountain, in a garden can attract hummingbirds as a place to bathe.

Interesting Facts: Ruby-throats can be detected by the hum of their wings, which beat up to 78 times per second during regular flight, and up to 200 times per second during a flight display dive.

Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, and even upside down for short periods.

An average hummingbird consumes half its weight in sugar each day, and feeds five to eight times each hour, up to a minute at each feeding.

Ruby-throats usually live 3 to 5 years, but can live up to 12 years.

The hummingbird has a long bill. When drinking nectar, it extends its tongue and licks it up at the rate of 13 licks per second. The bird's tongue has grooves along the side to help it take up nectar and fringed edges that help the hummer catch insects.

Native Pennsylvania Plants for Hummingbirds
Spring/Early Summer:
  • Columbine Red/Yellow 1-2 ft
  • Prairie Phlox Deep Pink 1-2 ft
  • Wild Bergamot Light Purple 3-4 ft
  • Bee Balm (moist) Red 3-4 ft
  • Beardtongue White 2-3 ft

Summer/ Fall:
  • Cardinal Flower (moist) Red 2-4 ft
  • Great Blue Lobelia Blue 2-3 ft
  • Turtlehead (moist) White 2-3 ft
  • Blazingstar Liatris Light Purple 2-4 ft
  • Trumpet Honeysuckle (vine) Reddish 10+ ft

Hummingbird Feeders can be used to attract hummingbirds to backyards and gardens. The following are some tips for using feeders to attract hummingbirds:

Nectar can be made from dissolving one part table sugar in four parts boiling water. Do not add red food coloring, honey, or artificial sweeteners to the nectar -- these may cause hummingbird health problems. Store unused portion in the refrigerator. Ready made nectar is available in stores making it quick and easy to refill feeders.

Change the nectar and clean the feeder with hot water every 3-4 days -- more often in hot weather -- to prevent nectar from becoming rancid, cloudy, or moldy. Small brushes can be used to clean the ports.

Use a water-filled ant guard or bell to keep ants out of the feeder.

Hummingbirds are typically attracted to the color red. Place the feeder where the hummingbirds can easily see them in your garden. Once they have found your flowers and feeder, you can add additional feeders in more hidden spaces. Hummingbirds are territorial, so younger or frightened hummers will thank you for putting up more than one feeder.


Resources: eNature.com, US Dept of Agriculture