Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is in the Hummingbirds family (Trochilidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 70,853 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Ruby-throated Hummingbird: observations by month (U.S.)

About Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Hummingbirds)

Anna's HummingbirdCalypte anna

Black-chinned HummingbirdArchilochus alexandri

Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin

Costa's HummingbirdCalypte costae

Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus

Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus

Broad-billed HummingbirdCynanthus latirostris

Calliope HummingbirdSelasphorus calliope

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ