Violet-Crowned Hummingbird or Ruby-Throated Hummingbird?

General appearance

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a small bird with iridescent green plumage on its back and head, and white underparts. It has a slender, straight bill designed for feeding on nectar. Its wings are narrow and enable rapid, agile flight, making a buzzing sound that is often the first indicator of its presence in the wild.

Male vs female

Males are distinguished by their striking ruby-red throat patch, known as a gorget, which can appear black in poor lighting. Their tail feathers are forked with a dark, iridescent blue-green. Females lack the bright throat patch and instead have white underparts with a light spotting or streaking. Their tail feathers are rounded and edged with white.

Juvenile

Juveniles resemble adult females with similar green and white coloring. They lack the distinctive gorget of adult males. As they mature, young males begin to develop the red throat feathers that gradually replace the white of their juvenile plumage. Juveniles have buffy edges to their plumage, especially noticeable on the breast.

Primary habitat

The ruby-throated hummingbird favors semi-open habitats, which include open woods, forest clearings and edges, gardens, and city parks. It typically resides in these areas during the summer.

Additional range

During winters, it's usually found in open or dry tropical scrub, avoiding rain forests. While migrating, it may rest in any open habitat with flowers.

Natural diet

The ruby-throated hummingbird primarily consumes nectar and insects. It collects nectar from flowers, showing a preference for tubular flowers such as those of the trumpet vine. Additionally, this bird supplements its diet by feeding on tiny insects.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the ruby-throated hummingbird is commonly attracted to sugar-water mixtures, which mimic the nectar it finds in nature.