Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Description: Hummingbirds are extraordinarily small birds with long bills that curve downwards. Their wings are short, and they are usually brightly colored- either green or gray. Males have a bright pink throat (giving them their name). Hummingbirds have extremely short legs.
Habitat: These hummingbirds live in grasslands and meadows, as well as backyards where trees are not very dense. They are present throughout much of the Eastern United States during the summer and migrate towards the south and west during the winter.
Diet: Hummingbirds consume the nectar of red or orange tube flowers. They also are known to catch bugs mid-air or in spider webs.
Behaviors:
Miscellaneous:
Habitat: These hummingbirds live in grasslands and meadows, as well as backyards where trees are not very dense. They are present throughout much of the Eastern United States during the summer and migrate towards the south and west during the winter.
Diet: Hummingbirds consume the nectar of red or orange tube flowers. They also are known to catch bugs mid-air or in spider webs.
Behaviors:
- Hummingbirds regularly hover; they can beat their wings very fast and have immense control when flying.
- Male hummingbirds are especially territorial and give an impressive courtship display.
- Hummingbirds are not really capable of perching, but instead fly around.
Miscellaneous:
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are capable of beating their wings at a rate of 53 times per second.