Fauna Flora Photography

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris

Hummingbirds are small and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is no exception. It’s the only hummingbird species to be seen in Quebec which makes it easy to identify this species.

Specs

Length7.5-9cm
Weight3-6g
Wingspan13-15cm

Common Names

GermanRubinkehlkolibri
EnglishRuby-throated Hummingbird
FrenchColibri à gorge rubis
SpanishColibrí de garganta roja

Taxonomy

OrderApodiformes
FamilyTrochilidae
SpeciesArchilochus colubris

How to Identify

Hummingbirds display a specific flight pattern. They can stand in place mid air, and move up or down and do so around flowers the feed on. Only males display the red colored throat patch which may actually looks black from many directions.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) - Parc des Rapides - 2017-09-16
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) - Bromont - 2017-07-23

Where and When to Spot

I observed this species on two occasions, once in a wetland near Bromont, Quebec and the other time at Rapids Park Lachine. In both cases around a orange flowering dense bush like plant.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Jardin Botanique de Montréal - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.