With their brilliant iridescent plumage and their remarkable agility in flight, the ruby-throated hummingbird is a favorite of birdwatchers and conservationists alike. Measuring only 3 to 3 ¾ inches long with a wingspread of 4 to 4 ¾ inches, they are one of nature’s smallest jewels.

In flight these tiny birds will beat their wings 200 times a minute. No wonder we have a difficult time seeing them! But they are here, in Riverchase, in our gardens. They are attracted to flowering shrubs and backyard feeders. Alabama native plants such as trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, scarlet beebalm and native salvia are among their favorites. These brilliant tubular-shaped plants grab their attention and provide the right sustenance for both breeding and migration. 

The hummingbird builds its nest by weaving together natural materials such as moss, lichen, fern, milkweed, leaves and thistles, and binding them together with spider silk. The result is a cup-shaped structure nestled along streams or near forests five to twenty feet above ground. Here the female lays her eggs from March to July.

For anyone interested in having a feeder, choose a tube or basin design with red or orange accents and a built-in ant guard. Hang the feeder in a partially shaded area away from direct sunlight which may cause the nectar to spoil quicker. Never use honey as a substitute for sugar since it does not provide the nutrients needed and the bird will die. To clean your feeder and prevent mold and bacteria from forming, mix a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water. Change the nectar every 2 to 3 days, especially in warm weather.

Hummingbirds are migratory and travel across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America where the winters are more to their liking. They can easily fly as far as 2,000 miles from their breeding site to their winter home.

Conservationists are focused on preserving the hummingbirds’ natural habitats, on promoting bird friendly gardens, and on emphasizing the importance of biodiversity to our small friends. A robust movement has come about to safeguard the hummingbird’s future.

Bennett Moseley, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. 2024. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Outdoor Alabama. https://www.outdooralabama.com/swifts/ruby-throated-hummingbird. December 2024

Jacob Irgens-Moller Nielsen. 2023. Hummingbirds in Alabama. Avibirds, https://avibirds.com/hummingbirds-in-alabama/. December 2024

Jim Armstrong and H. Lee Stribling. 2019. Hummingbirds in Alabama. Forestry and Wildlife. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/hummingbirds-in-alabama/#:~:text=Be%20sure%20to%20keep%20your,that%20is%20lethal%20to%20hummingbirds. December 2024

Trace Barnett. 2024. Hummingbirds: How to Attract Pollinators to your Yard. APT (Alabama Public television). https://aptv.org/garden-party/hummingbirds/#:~:text=Hummingbirds%20in%20Alabama%20can%20be,hummingbirds%20to%20explore%20and%20thrive. December 2024