Microinteractions: Full Color Edition

Colophon

There are three species of hummingbird on the cover of Microinteractions: the rubythroat (Archilochus colubris), the ruby topaz (Chrysolampis mosquitus), and the fiery topaz (Topaza pyra). Hummingbirds are small birds of the family Trochilidae that feed off the nectar of trumpet-shaped flowers. They are characterized by their iridescent plumage, especially the males, who show off their brightly colored throats to attract females. Hummingbirds are also known for their rapidly beating wings, which can beat over 50 times per second.

The rubythroat hummingbird is unique in being the only hummingbird that breeds in eastern North America. Like most hummingbirds, the rubythroat is a solitary creature, appearing with others of its kind only during mating season and with its young for the first two weeks of their lives. The rubythroat hummingbird has become accepting of contact with humans and will show up at bird feeders, occasionally investigating anyone wearing bright red clothing due to the color of the flowers it normally feeds on.

The ruby topaz hummingbird lacks the curved wings of the rubythroat, and is found at both low and high altitudes. It too has acclimated itself to cultivated land and gardens. Some of these birds are sedentary and some are migratory, depending on the location of their range. The ruby topaz is not shy and can be found throughout southern Central America, much of South America, and the Lesser Antilles. It gets its name from the yellow throat and bright ...