Bird Watching: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird [at] Krizzna™

Posted on August 11, 2011 by

Bird Watching: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

So many of us are really fascinated by the ruby-throated hummingbird. We will hang special feeders everywhere to attract them to our yards and will even design entire gardens devoted to them. These tiny little birds are truly delightful to watch as they flit about the garden and are worth all of our efforts.

The ruby-throated hummingbird (“Archulochus colubris”) is probably the smallest of all of the birds, being only 3½ inches long. The males have metallic green heads and backs with slightly more muted-green sides, white underneath, and dark tails. They have brilliant red throats, which can appear almost iridescent in the sunlight. The females have white throats and white tips on their outer tail feathers. The sides of the females are also more of a buff-color.

The ruby-throated hummingbird breeds from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. It is also the only hummingbird that can be found east of the Mississippi. Ruby-throated hummingbirds usually spend their winters in the tropics; though, they can sometimes be found wintering in the tropical areas of Florida. They usually reappear in my area of Northeast Tennessee as early as March.

The nests of ruby-throated hummingbirds are as diminutive as the hummingbirds themselves, being only 1½ inches in diameter. The nests are made of plant down and flower petals and fibers, which are held together with spider silk and covered with lichens. Two pea-sized eggs are laid 2-3 times during each breeding season. The female will incubate the eggs for 14-16 days, and the fledglings will emerge from the nest 20-22 days after hatching.

I have heard some bird experts state that the ruby-throated hummingbird is not necessarily attracted to the color red. They are more interested in something sweet and in tubular-shaped or trumpet-shaped flowers. In my own garden, I have noticed that they are not particularly concerned with the color of the bloom, as long as the blossom has a trumpet-shape. However, I have also noticed that they tend to ignore feeders that do not contain the red nectar with which we are so familiar. Our living room is painted red, which really seems to fascinate them. Often the little birds will fly up to the window and hover, looking in the house. Then there is the time that I planted a variety of sage commonly known as ‘hot lips’ (“Strybing arboretum”). (It turned out, unfortunately, to act as an annual in my Zone 6 region.) The white and red blooms are quite tiny and delicate-looking; however, the entire plant had a really nice scent. The ruby-throated hummingbirds around here just loved it. In fact, they seemed more drawn to that plant than to any others in my garden.

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards or hover in one spot like insects. You might not often see them perching and taking a rest; however, they seem to do it all of the time in my garden. I have sat and watched them perch on my trellises and even on the stems of some of my flowers, especially the gladiolus. We also have a large, dense cedar tree near our outdoor table. They love to congregate in it and will stay for quite awhile. Otherwise, they are flitting about and looking for food almost constantly. They also seem to be quite territorial and utterly fearless. If one ruby-throated hummingbird is at a feeder, the approach of another will result in some serious chasing. I have also walked out of my house and had 2-3 of these little birds almost hit me in the head as they were chasing each other. (I have been able to actually hear their high-pitched squeaks and twitters and the buzzing of their wings in my ear at these times.)

If you wish to create a garden that is hummingbird-friendly, you should plant flowers that do have trumpet or tubular blooms. I have noticed that they really seem to like my gladioli. You can also plant trumpet vines, which have really pretty blooms. They like cardinal flowers, too. A few other plants that you might like to include in your general landscape or in a specialized hummingbird garden include: bee balm, obedient plant, garden phlox, canna, dahlia, fuschia, salvia, and scarlet sage. They also like lilac, honeysuckle, and weigelia. You can also include special hummingbird feeders in your garden. Be sure to keep your feeders clean, since the hot weather can cause the nectar to sour or ferment, which the hummingbirds do not like. (You should clean your feeders about every 3-4 days.) You can also make your own nectar by boiling 1 part real sugar (sucrose) in 4 parts water. (Never use honey, which can contain a fungus that will kill hummingbirds. Also, do not use any artificial sweeteners; since, these have no nutritional value.) You will not need to maintain your hummingbird feeders during the winter months, because your hummingbirds will be off sunning on some tropical beach. However, you will want to start placing them in your garden as early as March, so the ruby-throated hummingbirds, as they migrate north, will notice that you are interested in their nutritional needs. Along with your feeders, you will want to include a water source. Hummingbirds love to fly through misters. I have also watched them follow my sprinklers around the yard.

Whatever you decide to do to lure the ruby-throated hummingbird into your yard, you will be glad you did. These little birds are so much fun to watch and not as illusive as you might think.

References:

Bull, John and Farrand, Jr., John. “National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Eastern Edition. NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1994, pp. 563-4.

Alsop III, Fred J. “All About Tennessee Birds.” Birmingham, AL: Sweetwater Press, 1997, pp. 104-5.

Written by Dena Bolton

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