Diet
What do ruby-throated hummingbirds eat?
Flower nectar and sugar water, plus small insects and spiders for protein.
Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubris
Spring and summer diet
- Nectar from tubular red and orange flowers
- Gnats, mosquitoes and small spiders
Fall and winter diet
- Winters in Central America and southern Mexico
Best feeder foods
- Sugar water: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water, no dye
Avoid
- Honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners and red dye
Change nectar every 2 days in hot weather (under 80°F, every 4–5 days) and clean the feeder each refill. Males defend feeders aggressively; several feeders out of sight of each other help.
Frequently asked
What do ruby-throated hummingbirds eat?
Flower nectar and sugar water, plus small insects and spiders for protein.
What is the best food to feed ruby-throated hummingbirds?
Sugar water: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water, no dye.
What should I not feed ruby-throated hummingbirds?
Honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners and red dye.
What do ruby-throated hummingbirds eat in winter?
Winters in Central America and southern Mexico.
Sources
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.