Bird Spotting: Iridescent green above and white below, this diminutive bird flits from flower to flower using its tiny, needlelike bill to sip nectar. While males have an iridescent throat, the throat of the female is white. The female is also larger.

Habitat: Gardens and parks along the eastern United States provide the ruby-throated hummingbird with the nectar it needs.

Nesting: Plants and spider silk are the makings of this hummingbird’s nest where it will lay two small white eggs. Nests can be found strapped to the branch of a tree.

Bird Bite: This bird may be small, but it has endurance. As the weather gets colder the ruby-throated hummingbird flies nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico to Central America.

Backyard Tip: Tubular red flowers, such as salvia and trumpet creeper, are your best bet for attracting the ruby-throated hummingbird to your garden. Bee balm, petunia, jewelweed, and thistle are also favorites of this bird. Hanging artificial feeders with red glass tubes filled with sugary liquid is another way to win over the hearts of this hummingbird. The ruby-throated hummingbird also enjoys the nectar and insects of the red buckeye tree.