Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris — Wikipedia · Photos by Andy Harner

The only hummingbird that breeds across most of eastern North America. Adult males flash an iridescent red throat (gorget). The frames below show a pale throat and white-tipped outer tail feathers — signs of a female or immature bird, not a breeding male.

Female or immature ruby-throated hummingbird hovering at a purple flower with yellow florets

Field ID notes

Green upperparts; pale underparts
Adult male: ruby-red gorget that can look black without direct light
Female / immature: pale throat, white tips on outer tail feathers
Needle-thin bill; hovering flight with blurred wings at normal shutter speeds

Gallery

Ruby-throated hummingbird hovering at a glass feeder — Feeder hover — pale throat, wings soft

Ruby-throated hummingbird feeding from a light pink flower — Pink bloom — beak centered, soft green background

Side view of ruby-throated hummingbird at a pink flower — Side profile — white-tipped tail feathers

Ruby-throated hummingbird hovering above a pink flower — Hover above the bloom

Ruby-throated hummingbird at a magenta flower — Magenta spike — mid-air feed

Learn more

Species overview, range, and migration on Wikipedia: Ruby-throated hummingbird. Full set: Hummingbirds gallery.

All bird posts American Goldfinch