Ruby-throated Hummingbird

This weary female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (only males have the ruby throat feathers) was banded and fed sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts of water) before she was released. Running on empty after a night's crossing, her long tongue happily seeks out food. Besides flower nectar, a large part of her diet will be small insects like no-seeums and spiders.