Hummingbirds hover in the air while they sip nectar from red, tubular flowers such as cardinal flower. (Jason Means/Flickr)
The ruby-throated hummingbird is a tiny, iridescent green bird that visits forests, swamps and gardens throughout the Chesapeake Bay region from spring through autumn.
Appearance:
Iridescent green head and back
White belly
Males have a metallic, ruby red throat and a forked tail
Females have a grayish throat. Their tail is squared with a white tip.
Needle-like bill
Grows about 3 inches long
Habitat:
Found in forests, orchards, freshwater swamps and backyard gardens
Usually lives alone, generally only coming together with another hummingbird to mate
Range:
Visits the Chesapeake Bay watershed from late spring through early autumn
Flies nearly 1,000 miles round-trip each year as it migrates to and from its breeding grounds
Feeding:
Uses its needle-like bill to sip nectar from red, tubular flowers such as crossvine and cardinal flower.
Hovers in the air while feeding
Predators:
Hawks, blue jays and domestic cats are a few hummingbird predators
Flight:
Hummingbirds are unique because they can fly backwards and upside down
Beats its wings up to 70 times per second
Voice:
Rapid wing beats make a humming sound
Males will emit a single warning note if another male enters their breeding territory
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Males establish a mating territory, performing a courtship display for any female that enters. During his courtship display, a male’s wings can beat more than twice as fast as normal.
After mating, the male and female separate
The female builds a tiny, 2-inch nest in a tree above an open area. She lays an average of two eggs, which she incubates for 10-14 days.
The chicks leave the best 18-22 days after hatching
Can live up to nine years in the wild
Other Facts:
The only hummingbird found in the mid-Atlantic region
The smallest bird in the Chesapeake Bay region
Sources and Additional Information:
Chesapeake Bay: Nature of the Estuary, A Field Guide by Christopher P. White
