Rideout: A few things to know about hummingbirds Andy Rideout This week, I have noticed many hummingbirds while visiting several different gardens. There are a few things you should know about hummingbirds. Worldwide there are nearly 330 species of hummingbirds, but here in Kentucky there is only one. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species regularly found east of the Mississippi River. The male is easy to recognize by its emerald-green back, white breast, and brilliant red throat. The female is similar in coloring, but lacking the red throat. This species is only 4 inches long and weighs less than 0.2 ounces. The amazing thing about the ruby-throated hummingbird is that each fall it migrates from the eastern United States, 600 miles nonstop, across the Gulf of Mexico, to Central America. In the spring they make the return trip, arriving at your backdoor from March to April.