ruby-throated hummingbird

American  

[roo-bee-throh-tid] / ˈru biˌθroʊ tɪd /

noun

1. a small hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, the only hummingbird of eastern North America, having metallic-green upper plumage and a bright red throat in the male.

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Etymology

Origin of ruby-throated hummingbird

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

“I would love to walk down the street and see more gardens like this,” Bautista said as he pointed out a ruby-throated hummingbird nibbling on one of his sage plants.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2023

We rarely get the rufous in the Washington area, but we do get its cousin, the ruby-throated hummingbird.

From Washington Post • Aug. 28, 2022

Many bird species, such as the ruby-throated hummingbird, use bits of lichen to construct nests.

From Scientific American • Feb. 15, 2022

From March to May 2020, common species such as the ruby-throated hummingbird and bald eagle became more abundant in cities and suburbs across North America.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 21, 2021

It takes a long time, but a ruby-throated hummingbird finally descends and eats from the tip of my unmoving, sweetened index finger.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan