Introducing...The Ruby Throated Hummingbird

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Dec 18, 2001

Aside from being beautiful to look at, interesting to watch, and fun to attract and feed, the ruby-throated hummingbird plays an important part in the delicate balance of the earth's ecological systems.

Like bees and wasps, these little flying wonders pollinate the flowering plants and trees of the earth by drinking the nectar from flower to flower, dropping bits of pollen as they go here and there. It is under scientific investigation as to whether or not the hummingbird is the primary means of pollination for many seasonal, nectar-producing plants. Cross pollination by the ruby-throated hummingbird would be the only thing standing between a certain number of species of flowering plants and the extinction of said plant. A bird so small can fly from a branch, circle in the air, and then return, leaving the inexperienced onlooker to wonder just what these little guys are up to. The truth is that they are catching small insects, probably gnats, even though we can't see them. These tiny bugs and insects are a major source of protein for the hummingbird.

In the grand scheme of life, however, the ruby-throated hummingbird is prey to other animals. Believe it or not, hawks, large spiders, bullfrogs, and praying mantises will stalk the tiny birds. Squirrels, chipmunks, and snakes consider hummingbird eggs a tasty meal.

Where Do Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Come From?

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a frequent resident of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America, ranging as far south as the Panama Canal. Usually, breeding happens in southern Canada, eastern and central North America, while the cold weather months from September to March are spent in Mexico, Central America, and the Panama Canal. These colorful little dynamos are drawn to flowers that are trumpet-shaped, and also to man-made bird feeding stations. These include a "sipper tube" for nectar. There is very little known in regard to the wintering habits and the migration routes taken by these birds. If a migration route runs from Canada down to the tropics, then there are many dangerous incidents that will happen along the way. "Operation Ruby Throat" is a program that is banding hummingbirds in the hope of tracking, studying, and collecting various forms of information about ruby throated hummingbirds. As with all tropical and neotropical migratory birds, there exists today a danger of extinction due to the lack of ample forest, field, and meadow lands. Many elementary and middle schools are providing time and space to try and create a suitable environment for the birds. Because of the importance of this research, there are grants available for qualified birding organizations.