The Ruby-throated hummingbird is a small, brilliantly iridescent bird that weighs less than a nickel! Despite their small size, the males of this species are fierce, aggressively defending their territories with impressive aerial feats.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend their winters in Central America and cross the Gulf of Mexico to get there. Crossing the Gulf is an incredible non-stop journey of over 1000 km that can take up to 20 hours. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds that are normally seen outside of the mountain regions in Alberta. Look for these beauties at your backyard feeder between May and August.
Fun Facts:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings 53 times a second
- Their resting heartrate is 250 beats/min; when active it can rise up to 1200 beats/min
- Hummingbird eggs are smaller than a jellybean
- Hummingbirds must consume approximately half their weight in sugar daily
- Hummingbirds can hover
If you find an injured or orphaned wild bird or animal in distress, please contact the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society hotline at 403-239-2488, for tips, instructions and advice, or look at the website at www.calgarywildlife.org for more information.
