Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Archilochus colubris"
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| color = pink | | color = pink | ||
| name = Ruby-throated Hummingbird | | name = Ruby-throated Hummingbird | ||
| + | | status = LC | ||
| image = Rubythroathummer65.jpg | | image = Rubythroathummer65.jpg | ||
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia | | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | ||
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Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below. Their bill is long, straight and very slender. The adult male, shown in the photo, has a glossy ruby red throat patch and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch, though she may sometimes show light spotting on her throat. | Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below. Their bill is long, straight and very slender. The adult male, shown in the photo, has a glossy ruby red throat patch and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch, though she may sometimes show light spotting on her throat. | ||
| − | The breeding habitat is open areas throughout most of eastern [[North America]] and the [[Canada|Canadian]] [[prairie]]s. The female builds a nest in a protected location in a shrub or tree. Both males and females of any age aggressively defend feeding locations within his or her territory. The aggressiveness becomes most pronounced in late summer to early fall as they fatten up for migration. | + | [[Image:Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.jpg|thumb|left|Female Ruby-throated hummingbird.]]The breeding habitat is open areas throughout most of [[Eastern United States|eastern]] [[North America]] and the [[Canada|Canadian]] [[prairie]]s. The female builds a nest in a protected location in a shrub or tree. Both males and females of any age aggressively defend feeding locations within his or her territory. The aggressiveness becomes most pronounced in late summer to early fall as they fatten up for migration. |
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is [[bird migration|migratory]], spending most of the winter in [[Mexico]] or [[Central America]]. | The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is [[bird migration|migratory]], spending most of the winter in [[Mexico]] or [[Central America]]. | ||
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Females lay two white eggs averaging 12.9 by 8.5 mm. | Females lay two white eggs averaging 12.9 by 8.5 mm. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | * {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=48450|title=Archilochus colubris|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| + | * http://www.rubythroat.org - "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" | ||
* http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/photogallery - photographs of this and other hummingbird species | * http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/photogallery - photographs of this and other hummingbird species | ||
| + | *[http://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/ruby-throated-hummingbird.html All about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird] | ||
* [http://www.dyesscreek.com/miscellaneous_pages/hummingbird_photography.html How to Photograph Hummingbirds - including many photos of this species] | * [http://www.dyesscreek.com/miscellaneous_pages/hummingbird_photography.html How to Photograph Hummingbirds - including many photos of this species] | ||
* [http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html migration map (US and Canada only)] | * [http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html migration map (US and Canada only)] | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Archilochus]] | [[Category:Archilochus]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Avifauna of Eastern United States|Hummingbird, Ruby-throated]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Avifauna of Canada|Hummingbird, Ruby-throated]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Avifauna of Eastern Texas]] | ||
[[da:Rubinstrube]] | [[da:Rubinstrube]] | ||
Revision as of 21:12, 22 August 2006
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, is a small hummingbird. It is 7-9 cm long with an 8-11 cm wingspan, and weighs 2-6 g.
Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below. Their bill is long, straight and very slender. The adult male, shown in the photo, has a glossy ruby red throat patch and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch, though she may sometimes show light spotting on her throat.
The breeding habitat is open areas throughout most of eastern North America and the Canadian prairies. The female builds a nest in a protected location in a shrub or tree. Both males and females of any age aggressively defend feeding locations within his or her territory. The aggressiveness becomes most pronounced in late summer to early fall as they fatten up for migration.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is migratory, spending most of the winter in Mexico or Central America.
These birds feed on nectar from flowers and flowering trees using a long extendable tongue or catch insects on the wing.
Due to their small size, they are vulnerable to insect-eating birds and animals. These birds require frequent feeding while active during the day and sometimes become torpid at night to conserve energy. This is the only hummingbird commonly found in eastern North America.
Females lay two white eggs averaging 12.9 by 8.5 mm.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
- http://www.rubythroat.org - "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project"
- http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/photogallery - photographs of this and other hummingbird species
- All about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- How to Photograph Hummingbirds - including many photos of this species
- migration map (US and Canada only)
da:Rubinstrube de:Rubinkehlkolibri fr:Colibri à gorge rubis he:קוליברי אדום חזה מצוי nl:Robijnkeelkolibrie ja:ノドアカハチドリ
