Ruby Throated Hummingbird Food

A flash of green and red the ruby throated hummingbird is eastern north america s sole breeding hummingbird.

Ruby throated hummingbird food.

Ruby throated hummingbirds fly at night for most of their journey across the gulf of mexico. The ruby throated hummingbird archilochus colubris is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in central america mexico and florida and migrates to canada and other parts of eastern north america for the summer to breed. Following a land route lets them stop to rest and refuel but they can t count on easy food all along the way. Hummingbird metabolism and survival and adaption interesting information.

It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the mississippi river in north america. Learn more about hummingbirds here. Feeders and flower gardens are great ways to attract these birds and some people turn their yards into buzzing clouds of hummingbirds each summer. They do not need to drink water.

An adult ruby throated hummingbird may eat twice its body weight in food each day which it burns up with the high metabolism necessary to sustain its rapid wing beat and energetic movements. They are fascinating little creatures. These habitats provide them with the perfect mix of food water and nesting opportunities. Flying over water is shorter but they can t rest or refuel and may meet dangerous conditions in hurricane season.

Local environments of the ruby throated hummingbird. These brilliant tiny precision flying creatures glitter like jewels in the full sun then vanish with a zip toward the next nectar source. Ruby throated hummingbirds get all the water they need from the nectar they drink. Hummingbirds also catch insects in midair or pull them out of spider webs.

Ruby throated hummingbirds feed on the nectar of red or orange tubular flowers such as trumpet creeper cardinal flower honeysuckle jewelweed bee balm red buckeye and red morning glory as well as at hummingbird feeders and sometimes tree sap. In fact ruby throated hummingbirds often double in weight allowing them to fly nearly 600 miles without having to stop for food. Take a moment to listen to the call of the ruby throated hummingbird.