The Ruby throated Hummingbird is extremely small for its species and it is the only variety that actually nests along the east side of the Mississippi River.
The Hummingbird is about 3 to 3 and a half inches long and has a wingspan of about 3 to 4 inches. The average weight of these hummingbirds is about three point four grams.
Males are usually smaller than the females and have shorter beaks. Most adult Ruby throated hummingbirds are metallic green on the top side and grayish on the bottom side.
This Hummingbird is migratory and spends most of its winter in Mexico and Central America and has been seen as far south as South America. It does breed throughout the entire continental United States and in Canada.
Surprisingly, most Ruby throated hummingbirds are extremely solitary and adults are nonsocial. The only time adults come together is during breeding but this will only last for a couple minutes. Both the male and female variety of this species are very aggressive towards other species of hummingbirds.
The fiercely defend their territories and will attack and chase any other hummingbirds that challenge their private space.
The main food source of Ruby throated hummingbirds include flowers, extremely small insects, a wide variety of spiders and nectar.
It has been shown that hummingbirds show a preference for tubular flowers that have a lot of red coloring. It is vital that young hummingbirds get the majority of their protein from insects so that they can grow properly.