Ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are the most common hummingbirds found in Florida. Black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds occasionally visit Florida in the winter. You can observe Ruby-throated hummingbirds at the edges of woods and in city parks. They are common in flower gardens where they seek out their favorite tubular flowers. With their long bills and tongues, hummingbirds are equipped to reach the delicious nectar that lies deep within the flower.
Females produce 1-2 broods each year. After the male courtship, the female builds a nest surrounded by a leafy cover. Be sure to look for these tiny nests before trimming your shrubs. The incubation of two eggs takes 11-16 days. The busy mother hummingbird may begin to build a second nest while continuing to feed her young ones in the first nest. The babies take flight at 20-22 days old.
Take a few minutes to watch a Ruby-throated Hummingbird sip nectar from a flower in your garden. Their tiny wings beat more than 50 times per second as they hover while feeding. Can you spot a hummingbird snatching a tiny insect from the air or a leaf for dessert?
Source: Audubon, UF
Photo credit: Andy Waldo
