Ruby Throated Hummingbird
by Deena Stoddard
Title
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Artist
Deena Stoddard
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the smallest species of hummingbird. It is the only species of hummingbird that regularly nests east of the Mississippi River in North America. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is 7 to 9 cm (2.8 - 3.5 in) long and has a 8 to 11 cm (3.1-4.3 in) wingspan. Weight can range from 2 to 6 g (0.071 to 0.21 oz), with males averaging 3.4 g (0.12 oz) against the slightly larger female which averages 3.8 g (0.13 oz). Adults are metallic green above and greyish white below, with near-black wings. Their bill, at up to 2 cm (0.79 in), is long, straight and very slender. As in all hummingbirds, the toes and feet of this species are quite small, with a middle toe of around 0.6 cm (0.24 in) and a tarsus of approximately 0.4 cm (0.16 in). The Ruby-throated Hummingbird can only shuffle if it wants to move along a branch, though it can scratch its head and neck with its feet. The species is sexually dimorphic. The adult male has a ruby red throat patch, also known as a gorget which may appear black in some lighting, and a dark forked tail. The female has a dark rounded tail with white tips and generally no throat patch, though she may sometimes have a light or whitish throat patch. The male is smaller than the female, and has a slightly shorter beak. A molt of feathers occurs once a year, and begins during the autumn migration.
All images © 2011-2020 Deena Stoddard ~ All Rights Reserved
Uploaded
May 16th, 2013
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