Scribd
Upload
26 views2 pages

Rubythroated Hummingbird Tiny Powerhouse Archival

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, weighing only 3.4-3.8 grams, is known for its remarkable migration capabilities, flying over 2,000 miles and completing nonstop 500-mile flights across the Gulf of Mexico. These birds exhibit unique flight mastery with rapid wing beats and the ability to hover and fly backward, while males display vibrant ruby-red throat patches during territorial displays. Their high metabolic demands require them to consume half their body weight in nectar daily and visit thousands of flowers, showcasing their extraordinary energy output.

Uploaded by

Pioneer Paperboy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views2 pages

Rubythroated Hummingbird Tiny Powerhouse Archival

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, weighing only 3.4-3.8 grams, is known for its remarkable migration capabilities, flying over 2,000 miles and completing nonstop 500-mile flights across the Gulf of Mexico. These birds exhibit unique flight mastery with rapid wing beats and the ability to hover and fly backward, while males display vibrant ruby-red throat patches during territorial displays. Their high metabolic demands require them to consume half their body weight in nectar daily and visit thousands of flowers, showcasing their extraordinary energy output.

Uploaded by

Pioneer Paperboy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Tiny

Powerhouse
Archilochus colubris

Overview
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird defies expectations with its diminutive 3.4-3.8
gram body weight yet extraordinary capabilities. These remarkable birds complete
epic migrations covering up to 2,000+ miles each way, including nonstop 500-mile
flights across the Gulf of Mexico lasting 18-22 hours.

Flight Mastery
Their unique flight abilities include generating lift from both upstrokes (25%) and
downstrokes (75%), enabling precise hovering and backward flight capabilities
unmatched by other birds. Wings beat at an incredible 53 times per second,
creating the characteristic humming sound that gives them their name.

Territorial Display
Males display brilliant ruby-red throat patches that appear different colors
depending on lighting conditions, while defending territories containing multiple
nectar sources. These iridescent gorgets serve as both species identification and
dominance displays during breeding season.

Physical Characteristics
• Length: 7-9 cm (3-3.5 inches)
• Wingspan: 8-11 cm (3.1-4.3 inches)

• Weight: 2-6 grams

• Wing Beat: 53 beats per second

• Distinctive Features: Males have brilliant ruby throat, metallic green back, forked tail

Metabolic Marvel
Their metabolic demands are extraordinary, requiring consumption of half their
body weight in nectar daily and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day. Heart rates
exceed 1,200 beats per minute during activity, representing the highest energy
output per unit weight of any warm-blooded animal.

Migration Wonder
Despite weighing less than a penny, these birds navigate thousands of miles
using innate magnetic compass abilities and celestial navigation. They build up fat
reserves equaling 40-50% of their body weight before major migration segments.

"In the Ruby-throated Hummingbird's tireless flight, we


discover that the smallest vessels often carry the
mightiest spirits."

You might also like