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sunflowervlg — Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Published: 2009-06-12 13:38:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 3274; Favourites: 207; Downloads: 214
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Description Cool Facts from www. allaboutbirds. org

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird beats its wings about 53 times a second.

The extremely short legs of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird prevent it from walking or hopping. The best it can do is shuffle along a perch. Nevertheless, it scratches its head and neck by raising its foot up and over its wing.

Scientists place hummingbirds and swifts in the same taxonomic order, the Apodiformes. The name means “without feet,” which is certainly how these birds look most of the time.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird does not show a strong preference for any particular color of feeder. Instead, it prefers specific feeder locations.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds prefer to feed on red or orange flowers. Like many birds, they have good color vision and can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans can can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans can’t see.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds normally place their nest on a branch of a deciduous or coniferous tree; however, these birds are accustomed to human habitation and have been known to nest on loops of chain, wire, and extension cords.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird. But in terms of area, this species occupies the largest breeding range of any North American hummingbird.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds don’t stick around long. Pairs are together long enough for courtship and mating – just a matter of days to weeks. Then he’s off on his own, and may begin migration by early August.

The oldest known Ruby-throated Hummingbird was 9 years 1 month old.
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Comments: 47

DrTomspics [2015-07-18 09:15:02 +0000 UTC]

great shot ! I read somewhere that they ( most hummers) spend 60 % of their time perched - but not in the same place obviously. Correct me if I'm wrong. great collection you have.

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Artofthebeholder [2011-12-16 00:47:30 +0000 UTC]

This is a truly stunning photo of a breathtaking creature! I love love love hummingbirds & it's so hard to find photos that do them justice, you really did! You captured his stunning colors & all of the amazing little details from his feathers to his feet. Thank you so much for finally taking & posting a worthy hummingbird image here on DA!

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birdofspirit [2011-01-31 15:41:56 +0000 UTC]

Very Nice! These shots are hard to get.

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robert-kim-karen [2010-05-21 18:46:50 +0000 UTC]

Excellent photo. I'm envious.

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AndiLonelyHearts [2010-01-01 17:11:48 +0000 UTC]

Pretty little thing ;]

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choney25 [2009-09-19 02:16:43 +0000 UTC]

absolutely beautiful capture.

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colorful-child [2009-08-21 16:17:04 +0000 UTC]

She's so tiny

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O-Gosh [2009-08-19 13:41:32 +0000 UTC]

This art has been featured [link] I hope you don't mind

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LoriVintage55 [2009-06-30 19:15:22 +0000 UTC]

Very interesting facts, thanks for sharing those and a great pic too!

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sunflowervlg In reply to LoriVintage55 [2009-07-06 16:39:08 +0000 UTC]

Thanks...they fascinate me!

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LoriVintage55 In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-07-06 22:11:54 +0000 UTC]

They do me as well, welcome

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777His [2009-06-25 03:59:34 +0000 UTC]

Wonderful shot Vicki, I put feeders out and the crows ran everything off including my hummers. Never got a chance to try to get any photos. Took the feeders down now hoping to catch them at the flowers.

I'll just keep enjoying your great shots.

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sunflowervlg In reply to 777His [2009-07-08 14:29:24 +0000 UTC]

Thanks June! Sorry to hear about the crow problem! I wonder if anyone ever truly thought about eating crow, literally ....you know...like little chickens!

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777His In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-07-13 20:25:19 +0000 UTC]

Just bet somebody, somewhere eats them - me - don't think so

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RezzanATAKOL [2009-06-15 14:42:46 +0000 UTC]

Sorry, I missed it( What a shy for me!
İt's colours r wonderful.

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sunflowervlg In reply to RezzanATAKOL [2009-06-16 15:43:31 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Rezzan and for faving it, too!

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1001G [2009-06-15 14:09:55 +0000 UTC]

and ty for all that info......

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sunflowervlg In reply to 1001G [2009-06-16 15:45:49 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome, Edie! I love to add info when I can....I always learn something new!

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1001G In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-16 16:01:35 +0000 UTC]

never to old are we?

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sunflowervlg In reply to 1001G [2009-06-16 16:06:52 +0000 UTC]

Yeah....knocks the "old dog" saying right out of the water!

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1001G In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-16 16:12:58 +0000 UTC]

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Zlata-Petal [2009-06-15 03:32:08 +0000 UTC]

Beutiful

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sunflowervlg In reply to Zlata-Petal [2009-06-16 15:54:14 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!

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simplelines [2009-06-13 22:16:25 +0000 UTC]

Magnificent shot! Love these little birds,could watch them for hours,they are so fascinating!

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sunflowervlg In reply to simplelines [2009-06-16 16:04:58 +0000 UTC]

I agree 100%!

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simplelines In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-16 18:25:44 +0000 UTC]

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JocelyneR [2009-06-13 04:37:14 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic shot! I don't know you can do that, they are so small!

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sunflowervlg In reply to JocelyneR [2009-06-13 15:55:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Jocelyne! They fascinate me!

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JocelyneR In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-14 07:06:16 +0000 UTC]

You are very welcome! Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only ones we have here and they are so beautiful! But I am unable to take good pics...

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sunflowervlg In reply to JocelyneR [2009-06-16 13:29:27 +0000 UTC]

They're the only ones here too! And I know what you mean about trying to get good pictures...they're so fast...I have lots and lots of deleting after I'm done. Just image the old film and developing process...I'd have given up a long time ago!

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JocelyneR In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-18 06:07:22 +0000 UTC]

But your photo is so amazing! It is perfect, we see all the details... even if digital camera helps!

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sunflowervlg In reply to JocelyneR [2009-06-19 13:50:59 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Jocelyne!

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JocelyneR In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-19 22:27:36 +0000 UTC]

You are very welcome, Vicki!

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Sasajewun [2009-06-12 22:01:34 +0000 UTC]

Very nice. They are HARD to catch sitting still...!

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sunflowervlg In reply to Sasajewun [2009-06-13 16:07:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much! And you're so right.....they don't stay in one spot for to long.:

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mssbehave [2009-06-12 18:52:13 +0000 UTC]

wow what a perfect shot!!!!

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sunflowervlg In reply to mssbehave [2009-06-13 16:29:37 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I think it takes a little luck with these birds!

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mssbehave In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-13 20:28:37 +0000 UTC]

i would say!!! i love it!

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sunflowervlg In reply to mssbehave [2009-06-16 13:26:32 +0000 UTC]

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In-the-picture [2009-06-12 18:35:36 +0000 UTC]

That's fantastic! Good work!

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sunflowervlg In reply to In-the-picture [2009-06-13 16:42:44 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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eskimoblueboy [2009-06-12 14:38:04 +0000 UTC]

These are beautiful birds. Great shot Vicki. I love the colors.

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sunflowervlg In reply to eskimoblueboy [2009-06-12 15:00:07 +0000 UTC]

They're so much fun! Thanks James!

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eskimoblueboy In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-12 16:40:41 +0000 UTC]


They are fun. I just can't get a decent shot of one. roflmao

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LeashaAHooker [2009-06-12 13:39:30 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful colors Vicki!

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sunflowervlg In reply to LeashaAHooker [2009-06-12 14:33:59 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Leasha!

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LeashaAHooker In reply to sunflowervlg [2009-06-13 05:43:30 +0000 UTC]

You are very welcome Vicki!

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