The rufous hummingbird is a small hummingbird, about 8 cm (3 in) long with a long, straight and slender bill. These birds are known for their extraordinary flight skills, flying 3,200 kilometres during their migratory transits. It is one of nine species in the genus Selasphorus.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Breeds from southern Alaska and western Canada through the Pacific Northwest and into the northern Rocky Mountains. During migration it follows coastal and interior mountain routes, frequenting meadows, forest edges, riparian thickets, and gardens rich in flowers. Winters primarily in western and southern Mexico, with some individuals overwintering along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Prefers habitats with abundant tubular flowers and small insect prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The rufous hummingbird is renowned for its stamina, making one of the longest migrations relative to body size—often exceeding 3,000 km between breeding and wintering grounds. Males are notably aggressive and will dominate much larger birds at nectar sources. They track blooming sequences along mountain corridors during migration, timing their movements to peak flower availability. Females alone build the tiny, lichen-camouflaged nest and rear the young.
Perched male
Perched female
Hovering female at currant flowers
A juvenile male nectaring on Rocky Mountain beeplant in Wyoming
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of the breeding season, defending rich nectar sources with vigorous chases. Males perform steep, buzzing display dives to attract females but do not participate in nesting. Females build a tiny cup nest of plant down and spider silk, often decorated with lichens, and raise the brood alone.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp chips and high, buzzy notes; not a true songbird melody. Males produce a distinctive trilling or whirring sound with the wings and tail feathers during display dives and aggressive chases.
Plumage
Male is bright rufous overall with an iridescent orange-red gorget and whitish breast; some males show limited green on the back. Female has green upperparts with rufous-washed flanks and tail, a whitish to buffy breast, and a speckled throat. Both sexes have a straight, slender bill and compact, pointed wings.
Diet
Consumes nectar from a wide variety of tubular flowers, including columbine, paintbrush, and currant, as well as garden ornamentals and feeders. Supplements energy and protein by hawking small insects and gleaning spiders from foliage. Will also sip tree sap at sapsucker wells, taking trapped insects there as well. Highly adaptable in foraging, shifting with seasonal bloom and insect availability.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in flower-rich meadows, forest edges, riparian corridors, alpine clearings, and residential gardens with feeders. Uses perches to survey and defend nectar sources, making short sallies to flowers and aerial insect prey.
