7 Surprising Facts About Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are one of the most anticipated migratory birds to return each spring. They're also one of the main species that everyone waits for and gets excited about seeing again. There's something special about hummingbirds, and it's not just because they are so tiny. In this video, we're going to go over seven key facts about ruby-throated hummingbirds that help explain how they look, how they behave, and why their activity around feeders changes throughout the season. Before we get started, make sure to like and subscribe if you enjoy this type of video. We put out regular bird content like this as often as we can. Fact number one. Adult males have a ruby-red throat. Females do not. Adult male ruby-throated hummingbirds are named for their ruby-red throat, which can look bright red, orange, or even dark depending on the light. This throat patch is iridescent, meaning it can seem to disappear and reappear as the bird moves, especially when the sun hits it at the right angle. Females do not have this ruby-red throat, also called a gorget, and instead have a plain white or light gray throat. Young males often start out without any red at all, but as they develop, small dark red spots begin appearing on the throat. Over time, these spots gradually fill in until the throat becomes full ruby-red. Both males and females have green backs, so the throat remains the easiest way to tell them apart. Fact number two. They're the only breeding hummingbird in the eastern U.S. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species that breeds in the eastern United States. For most people east of the Great Plains, every hummingbird they see during the spring and summer is going to be a ruby-throated, even if they don't realize it. Occasionally, other hummingbird species like Annas or Rufous hummingbirds may appear far outside their normal range. These are rare birds that have strayed from typical migration routes. Those species do not breed in the eastern U.S., which is why all nesting, territorial behavior, and feeder activity in the region centers around ruby-throated hummingbirds. Fact number three. Females build the nest entirely on their own. Female ruby-throated hummingbirds handle all nesting duties without help from the male. The male may remain nearby briefly during courtship and mating, but once his role is finished, he leaves and may go on to court another female. Ruby-throated hummingbirds do not form pair bonds the way birds like cardinals might. From that point on, the female is fully responsible for everything related to nesting and raising the young. She builds a small, well-hidden nest using soft plant fibers, spider silk, and bits of lichen to help it blend into the branch where it's placed. These nests are tiny and extremely hard to spot, which is why many people have nesting hummingbirds nearby without ever noticing them. Fact number four. Ruby-throated hummingbirds often return to the same yards year after year. These hummingbirds often return to the same general area each year if those locations provided reliable food in the past. Feeders, flowering plants, and consistent water sources can all make a yard worth revisiting when they come back through in the spring. This doesn't mean the same pair or family returns to the same nest in your yard. Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate and operate as individuals, not bonded pairs, but if you provided reliable nectar, flowers, or safe feeding spots, individual hummingbirds may remember your yard as a good place to refuel and check again the following season. That's why keeping your feeders clean, consistent, and in the same general location can make a difference year after year. Fact number five. They can be aggressive around feeders, and it's usually the males. Ruby-throated hummingbirds can be very aggressive around feeders, and this behavior isn't limited to early in the season. Adult males in particular will chase, dive at, and harass other hummingbirds in an attempt to control access to a food source. This territorial behavior can show up anytime competition is high. At the same time, not all chasing is aggression. After the first brood, young hummingbirds often appear at feeders and spend a lot of time buzzing around, chasing each other, and learning how to fly and feed. That behavior is playful and exploratory, not territorial. One useful clue is the throat. When you see two adults both flashing a ruby-red throat, those birds are likely competing for territory. When the birds lack the red throat, what you're seeing is often practice and play rather than fighting. Fact number six. They often disappear from feeders during nesting. I've heard it dozens of times. My hummingbirds disappeared from my feeders. Where did they go? It's one of the most common concerns people have once hummingbird season gets underway, especially if they're new to feeding them. What's usually happening is nesting. In our case, we often see hummingbirds show up early in the season for a During this period, females are often focused on nesting and raising young, and both males and females rely more on natural food sources like insects. Other people have different experiences depending on location and food availability, but the key thing to know is this. Hummingbirds may vanish from feeders for a while during nesting, and that's completely normal. Fact number seven. Once migration starts, they all seem to leave at once. When migration begins, ruby-throated hummingbird activity at feeders can drop very quickly. Even though they don't migrate as a group, many birds leave within a short time window, which makes it feel like they all disappeared at once. One week, feeders are busy, and the next they can seem almost empty. That doesn't mean hummingbirds are completely gone, though. Late stragglers and birds passing through from farther north may still stop by for a quick drink as they continue south. That's why it's a good idea to keep your feeders out for an extra two to three weeks after you think the season is over. Leaving feeders up doesn't delay migration, but it can help those last birds refuel when they need it most. Hummingbirds are one of my favorite birds overall to watch in my yard. The ones that visit my feeders get used to me after a while each year, and will still stop for a drink even if I'm sitting very close by. That makes it possible to get a really close look at their feathers, colors, and fine details in a way you just don't get with most birds. They're incredibly effective survivors, especially in a world where nearly everything around them is bigger than they are. Their speed, agility, and confidence make up for their small size, and those traits are what allow them to thrive and hold their own in such a competitive environment. If you're still watching, thanks for sticking with me until the end. Give the video a like and subscribe to the channel for more videos like this one. Have a great day!