How long do ruby-throated hummingbirds live?
The oldest Ruby-throated Hummingbird on record lived to 9.1 years, a record from a wild bird. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild ruby-throated hummingbirds live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 9.1 years
- Record from
- Wild bird
- Age at first breeding
- About 1 year
- Eggs per clutch
- 1–3 eggs (usually 2)
- Broods per year
- 1–2 per season
- Size
- 2.8–3.5 in, 0.1–0.2 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 3 of 6
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Ruby-throated Hummingbird can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds usually start breeding at about 1 year old. Each season a pair lays 1–3 eggs (usually 2) and raises 1–2 per season, with eggs taking 12–14 days to hatch.
How ruby-throated hummingbirds compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other hummingbirds on this site.
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird14 years
- Black-chinned Hummingbird11.2 years
- Rufous Hummingbird8.9 years
- Anna's Hummingbird8.5 years
- Costa's Hummingbird6 years
More about ruby-throated hummingbirds
Frequently asked
How long do ruby-throated hummingbirds live?
The longest-lived Ruby-throated Hummingbird on record reached 9.1 years, recorded from a wild bird. Most wild ruby-throated hummingbirds live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
How old is a Ruby-throated Hummingbird when it first breeds?
Usually about 1 year old.
What is the oldest Ruby-throated Hummingbird ever recorded?
9.1 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Ruby-throated Hummingbird raise in a year?
Pairs lay 1–3 eggs (usually 2) and raise 1–2 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "small". genomics.senescence.info