AppearanceMales have a brilliantly iridescent ruby-red gorget (throat patch) that appears black in poor light. Metallic green above, pale below. Females lack the gorget and show white-tipped outer tail feathers.HabitatOpen woodland, garden edges, and any habitat with nectar-producing flowers. Strongly associated with tubular red flowers such as bee balm, trumpet vine, and cardinal flower.BehaviourCapable of sustained hovering and even backward flight — unique among North American birds. Wings beat 53 times per second in normal flight. Feeds on nectar and small insects, visiting hundreds of flowers daily.SeasonalitySummer visitor, arriving in late April and departing by October. Migrates non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico — a 900 km overwater flight on a body barely the size of a thumb.RangeThe only hummingbird regularly found in eastern North America. Breeds from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast; winters in Central America.