I hear them before I see them. A distinct chirping and buzzing sound alerts me to look up and try to spot the quick moving Ruby-throated hummingbird. Although the Ruby-throated hummingbird typically migrates North through Florida in late February through March, they head to South and Central America in late summer to early fall and some even over winter in South Florida. Every year, they make an appearance at the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital in late November on our Powderpuff Trees. (Calliandra haematocephala) and hang around for several months. They also love purple salvia and have been spotted at our Orchid and Plant Festivals in December and February flitting around one of our plant vendor’s booth. It is such a thrill to see these beautiful creatures up close.
Fascinating Facts about Ruby Throated Hummingbirds:
- only breeding hummingbird in the eastern North America.
- A Ruby-throated Hummingbird has only about 940 feathers in average, which are all replaced every year. For this, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hold the record for having the least number of feathers of any bird.
- It can fly straight to a speed of 25 miles per hour, and 40 miles per hour during courtship dives.
- While most hummingbirds die within their first year, there are significant numbers of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that live an average of 3 years or so. The oldest known Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a lifespan of 9 years and 1 month.
- Despite its small size, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird can fly over 3000 kilometers from the eastern United States, crossing over 1000 kilometers of the Gulf of Mexico to winter in Central America in just one flight.
Interesting Facts about the Ruby Throated Hummingbird – Hummingbirds Plus