Archilochus colubris
Range
They spend the winter in southern Mexico and Central America. In summer, they breed in from central Canada south through the eastern half of the U.S.
Habitat
They live in woods, deciduous forests, orchards and gardens. In the winter, they also live in tropical forests.
Body Traits
They are tiny birds with a metallic green head and back, a pale chest and belly and a bright, red throat. They have a long, slender bill for nectar collecting. Females are duller colored with a white throat.
Habits
They hover near tubular flowers collecting nectar.
Diet
They eat mostly nectar, but also small insects and drink from feeders.
Reproduction
They make an open-cup nest of plant matter, spider webs and lichens, perched on a small tree branch. The female lays 1-3, tiny white eggs.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Archilochus
Species: A. colubris