Where does the Ruby-throated Hummingbird live?
Archilochus colubris
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Open the appThe Ruby-throated Hummingbird lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
Biomes
Temperate forests, woodlands, suburban gardens, parks, orchards, meadows, and forest edges.
Geographic range
Breeds across eastern North America, from southern Canada (Alberta to Nova Scotia) south to the Gulf Coast and Florida. Winters primarily in southern Florida, Mexico, and Central America (from southern Mexico to northern Panama).
Preferred environments
Prefers areas with abundant flowering plants for nectar and trees/shrubs for perching and nesting. Often found near water sources. Highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes, especially gardens with feeders.
Elevation range
Typically found from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), though occasionally higher during migration.
Where to look
Gardens and Backyards
Often attracted to gardens with nectar-rich flowers (especially red or orange tubular flowers) and hummingbird feeders.
Forest Edges and Open Woodlands
Common in the transitional zones between forests and open areas, where there is a mix of trees for nesting and flowers for feeding.
Parks and Orchards
Areas with a variety of flowering plants and trees provide suitable habitat.
Meadows and Fields
Can be found foraging in open areas with abundant wildflowers.
Field tips
- Install Hummingbird Feeders. Use feeders filled with a solution of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Avoid red dyes. Place feeders in visible, open areas, but also near cover.
- Plant Nectar-Rich Flowers. Plant native tubular flowers, especially red, orange, or pink varieties, such as bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, and petunias.
- Provide Water. Hummingbirds appreciate misters or shallow bird baths with moving water for bathing and drinking.
- Be Patient and Still. Hummingbirds are fast and can be skittish. Sit quietly near feeders or flowers and wait for them to approach. Avoid sudden movements.
- Look for Movement and Sound. Their rapid flight and buzzing wings often give them away before you see them. Watch for quick, darting movements.
- Check During Migration. During spring and fall migration, their numbers can increase significantly, offering more opportunities for sightings.
Migration
Long-distance migrant. Most individuals migrate annually, traveling thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds. They are the only hummingbird species that regularly breeds in eastern North America. They cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single, non-stop flight (approximately 18-22 hours). Spring migration occurs from March to May, and fall migration from August to October.
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