The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the only hummingbird species that breeds in eastern Canada, and it is one of the smallest birds to visit the country—measuring just 7–9 cm and weighing around 3 grams. Males are instantly recognisable by their glittering ruby-red throat, which flashes like a jewel in the sunlight, while females display more subtle green and white plumage.
These tiny birds arrive in Canada in late spring after an astonishing migration journey, which often includes a non-stop flight of over 800 km across the Gulf of Mexico. During the summer, they feed on nectar from wildflowers and garden blooms, as well as insects for protein, before heading south again in early autumn to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
Their fleeting presence in Canada makes every sighting a cherished moment, as they bring a flash of colour and a touch of the tropics to northern skies.

