Ruby-throated Hummingbird Range, Habitat + Distribution

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (frog) is one of more than a dozen hummingbird species that visit North America. These tiny birds return to the United States each year, delighting birdwatchers with their energetic antics.

Speaking of antics, these amazing critters can fly across the high seas, fly backwards, and even sleep upside down. So, where exactly do ruby-throated hummingbirds live, and how do you find them?

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a North American species that ranges from Panama to southern Canada. These birds are restricted to states east of the American Great Plains. They occupy a variety of woodland habitats and are frequent backyard visitors to nectar feeders.

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird (from a family of more than 360 species of hummingbirds) that breeds east of the Mississippi River basin. They are also the most widespread member of the Trochilidae family and the species most familiar to American bird watchers.

Hummingbirds rely on nectar and insects, two foods that are in short supply during the American winter. To escape the cold and lack of resources, they headed south, wintering in Mexico and Central America.

There’s still a lot to learn about the distribution of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Read on to find out where you can find these emerald and ruby ​​jewels of the bird world.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are restricted to states east of the U.S. Great Plains

What is the distribution range of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found only on the North American continent and the Caribbean islands immediately to the south. Their range extends from Canada in the north to Panama in the south.

However, these birds are not seen in the United States every season. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migratory birds, so they visit both ends of the roost at different times of the year. Read on to find out when and where these special birds visit the United States.

Where do ruby-throated hummingbirds live in the United States?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are widespread east of the Great Plains, covering much of the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. These small birds are summer breeding visitors to the United States. They begin arriving south in early April, with the first birds arriving in New England in June.

Although they migrate through central Texas to North Dakota, most ruby-throated hummingbirds breed farther east, from the Gulf Coast to Minnesota, and on the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are widespread east of the Great Plains, covering much of the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast

Where do ruby-throated hummingbirds live in Canada?

The ruby-throated hummingbird is also Canada’s most widespread hummingbird, with many crossing the border to nest each year. Their breeding range extends further west in Canada than in the United States, from Nova Scotia to central Alberta.

What is the habitat of the ruby-throated hummingbird?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer woodland and forest habitats. The dominant tree species in its habitat vary within its extensive summer breeding range, but include pine, aspen, maple, and cypress. Their favorite habitats in Central America include dry, deciduous, and evergreen forests.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds feed primarily on insects and the nectar of tubular flowers. Keep an eye out for the following flower species for a good chance of spotting some hummingbirds:

• Spotted Touch Me Don’t/Jewel Grass
• propolis
• honeysuckle
• cardinal flower
• morning glory
• turk hat

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are no strangers to parks and gardens. Birders with backyards can attract these birds by planting hummingbird-friendly flowers and providing fresh water. Placing a nectar feeder or two is also very effective.

Just make sure to provide a healthy mix of nectar, keep the feeders clean, and change the nectar regularly. Who knows, you might even be lucky enough to have ruby-throated hummingbirds nesting in your yard.

A female ruby-throated hummingbird visits black cohosh

How rare is it to see a ruby-throated hummingbird?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are very common in good habitat with a good supply of nectar during the summer. They can easily identify nectar feeders, and in time, a backyard bird feeder might turn up a few hungry hummingbirds.

Where is the best place to see ruby-throated hummingbirds?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are widespread and common in the eastern United States. Birdwatchers should look for these birds in woodland and forest habitats, especially on their edges where flowers grow in the sun.

They’ll also be happy to visit backyards, especially those with hummingbird feeders and appropriate flowering plants like morning glory and cardinal.

Woodlands and forests are some of the best places to spot ruby-throated hummingbirds

When Do Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Come Out?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are diurnal. This means they forage during the day and sleep at night. They come out to forage after sunrise and eat their last meal before sunset. Interestingly, some late feeders will visit the night-blooming flowers in well-lit locations.

Do ruby-throated hummingbirds stay in one place?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are highly migratory, so they don’t stay in any one place throughout the year. However, increasing numbers of these birds are overwintering in the southeastern United States, likely due to increased food availability and climate change.

That means Florida and South Carolina birders can spot them year-round. However, these wintering birds will spend the summer further north.

So they don’t stay in one area year round, but do the ruby-throated hummingbirds return to the same place? Strip studies show they do, sometimes for years on end. Females are more loyal to their feeders, but males also return regularly, the study found.

Male ruby-throated hummingbirds are easier to spot because of their brighter plumage

Where do Rufous-throated Hummingbirds live in winter?

Winter is the non-breeding season for ruby-throated hummingbirds. They flew south, over Texas and mainland Mexico, enjoying mild weather south of the border. Some brave birds even cross the Gulf of Mexico via Cuba.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds winter in the following countries:

• Mexico
• Honduras
• Belize
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• costa rica
• nicaragua
• Panama

Some remain in the following U.S. states:

• Florida
• south carolina
• Louisiana

How do ruby-throated hummingbirds survive the winter?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds survive the winter by migrating south. Winters near the equator range from mild to hot, with little change in season. However, these fascinating birds have another trick. Hummingbirds can slow their metabolism and enter a hibernation-like state called torpor. This action prevents them from running out of energy when food is scarce or the temperature drops too low.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are highly migratory – females in flight

Where do ruby-throated hummingbirds live in the summer?

During the spring and summer nesting seasons, ruby-throated hummingbirds live in woodlands, forest edges, old fields, parks, and backyards in the eastern half of the United States and Canada.

In fact, the entire population migrates north each year, although at least one individual has been found to remain in Central America.

Are ruby-throated hummingbirds social?

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are usually solitary animals, except when mating. Large migrations are sometimes seen and they may congregate around abundant food sources, such as hummingbird nectar feeders.

However, these aggregations should not be mistaken for social behavior. In fact, these fast-flapping birds are often quite aggressive about food resources within their territories.