07/28/2026
Did you know the tiny bird in this photo weighs only about 2 to 6 grams, but can beat its wings around 53 times per second?
This Ruby-throated Hummingbird was captured foraging in a backyard garden and is one of the most remarkable visitors we see in Ohio gardens, forests, and natural areas. It may be small, but it plays an important role in the habitats around us.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds that breed across most of eastern North America. During migration, some travel long distances between their breeding grounds and wintering areas in Mexico and Central America. Some even cross the Gulf of Mexico, while others follow coastal routes.
In this photo, the hummingbird is visiting flowers in search of nectar. As it feeds, it can also help move pollen between plants. These birds also eat small insects and spiders, making them part pollinator, part predator, and part long-distance traveler.
Their presence reminds us that even small patches of habitat matter. Native plants, gardens, forests, wetlands, and protected natural spaces can provide food, shelter, and resting places for wildlife moving through our communities.
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