(Editor’s note: Suzette Stitely is a member of the Talbot Bird Club and travels extensively for birdwatching.)

There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds in the Americas, but the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only one that breeds in the Eastern United States. (Photo by Suzette Stitely)

One of the most popular birds to feed during our summer months is the ruby-throated hummingbird.
You can buy hummingbird feeders at many local retailers and then make your own nectar by adding a quarter-cup sugar to a cup of water — just stir until dissolved as no boiling is necessary.
Please do not add nor feed nectar with red food dye. Studies have shown that the color is not necessary and it may harm the birds.
If you’ve just started feeding “hummers” it may take a few days for them to find your feeder. Once they’ve found it, you’ll have these tiny jewels annually as they usually return to the same area to nest.
These birds also feed on native plants blooming throughout the summer as well as spiders and small insects.
Feeding hummingbirds does not delay their migration, but it may make them more susceptible to predation by cats and window strikes.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are truly beautiful birds. Their backs are metallic green with the wings being blackish and they have mostly white underparts with some green mottling on the sides.
If you see the male’s gorget in just the right light, you’ll be dazzled by the brilliant ruby color. Older females may also have a few red feathers in this area.
Interestingly, the female alone has white tips on her outer tail feathers.
There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds in the Americas, however the ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only one that breeds in the Eastern United States.
The most amazing feat for these birds is their migration: Ruby-throated hummingbirds winter primarily in Central America and begin their journey north in April.
Weighing only about 3 grams (the weight of a penny) they increase their weight about 25-30 percent before migrating. Many of these tiny birds fly nonstop across the Gulf Of Mexico! Their return flight begins in September.
Ruby-throated hummingbird females are busy birds. They choose the nest site, build the nest and raise the young all without the help of the male. There isn’t any pair bonding in this species -—males and females are only together for courtship and copulation.
Usually two eggs are laid and the eggs hatch after about two weeks.
After about 22 days, the young fledge and the female continues to feed them for about a week. If the young can avoid predation by cats or hawks and window strikes, they may live about eight years.
Learn more about birds, including the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, by joining the Talbot Bird Club. The club offers local birding trips weekly and welcomes anyone who has an interest in birds. Visit the club on Facebook.