Archilochus colubris
by Linnaeus (Johnsgard, 1997)
"The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird"
Author: Joy Bickley
 
 
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
                                                                                            Photographs (c) Dan True
 

Class: Aves

        Order: Apodiformes

                Family: Trochilidae

                        Subfamily: Trochilinae

                                Genus: Archilochus

                                        Species: colubris
 
 

The following can be used to distinguish Ruby-throats from other hummingbirds, as taken from (5)
 
Adult males:
        - emerald green back
        - iridescent ruby red gorget that may appear black under some lighting conditions
        - gray flanks
        - forked tail with no white tips -- all black
        - smaller than the females
 
Adult females:
        - emerald green back
        - white breast and throat
        - rounded tail with white tips
        - larger than male with a longer bill
 
Juveniles:
        - young or both sexes look like adult female
        - In August and September, the young males develop red spots in gorget

Molts:
        - one complete molt per year
        - young males acquire full ruby gorget during their first molts
 
 

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* Location
 
AREA STATUS REFERENCES
North America
Continental United States; Canada
Yes True, 1993
Eastern North America
United States east of Mississippi; 
Ontario and eastern Canada
Yes True, 1993
Southeastern United States
AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV
Yes True, 1993
Southern Appalachian States
AL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV
Yes True, 1993
Coastal Plain Yes True, 1993
Piedmont Yes True, 1993
Blue Ridge Mountains Yes True, 1993
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Yes True, 1993
Ridge and Valley ?
Cumberland Plateau ?
Central Arch ?
Georgia Yes True, 1993
Clarke County, Georgia Yes Joy Bickley, Pers. Ob.
Sams Farm ? -
Old Field
? -
Wetland
? -
Woods
? -
1-Hectare Plot
? -