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Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae Chick Type : Altricial (born naked, eyes not developed, lack mobility, completely relies on parents for food, shelter and warmth. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are found throughout the eastern half of the United States, southern Canada. This species winters in the southern parts of Central America. Diet consists mainly consists of nectar,but will also eat insects and tree sap. Insects are important in the chick rearing stages because nectar does not provide enough protein for growing chicks. Nests are build from plant matter and bound together with spider webs and silk from caterpillars. The inner part is lined with plant down, such as dandelion down. Two white eggs are laid and incubated for 12 to 14 days. The chicks will leave the nest in 18-20 days. Hummingbirds have very high energy requirements, during the night (non-feedin hours) they must go into torpor, so they don't run out of energy. Every second, the wing is moving 55-75 beats. During breeding displays, males can beat their wings up to 200 beats per second. |
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