Categories
Hummingbirds

A Few More Facts on the Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a Neotropical migrant and it is known to have one of the highest nesting success rates when compared to other Neotropical migrants.

Even though Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have one of the highest nesting success rates, only about 20% of these fledglings will survive their first year.

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird will usually have two broods, with each taking 45 days from nest construction to fledgling.

This species of hummingbird will nearly double their weight (from about 3.25 grams to 6 grams) before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. A single migration can become a nonstop flight of up to 500 miles over a period of 18 to 22 hours.

This species of hummingbird was hunted during the nineteenth century for its beautiful plumage, but the Ruby-throated Hummingbird now enjoys protection from harvest through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This act declares unlawful the taking, killing, or possessing of migratory birds. It is also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna of 1975.

One reply on “A Few More Facts on the Ruby-throated Hummingbird”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *