Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
A widely seen hummingbird east of the Great Plains, the ruby-throats
are exquisite bits, capable of incredible flight, moving in any direction
on wings vibrating faster than sight or able to hover motionless while
spectators are breathless. They are plentiful--one just shouldn't use
the word "common" about this lovely pulse of bright energy.
They sup on nectar from garden flowers or blossoming "weeds" and
are attracted to yards or gardens by tubes of sugar water properly
hung. And they eat insects. Several other varieties of hummingbirds
live in the West and all are tiny--smallest of American birds--and beat
their wings so rapidly that the feathers produce a hum. All hover
while feeding, mostly by dipping their long beaks in flowers, and all of
them are incredibly pugnacious for so tiny a creature. Most migrate
long distances, incredible as that seems.