What does the Rufous Hummingbird eat?

The Rufous Hummingbird's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Nectar from a wide variety of flowers, small insects (gnats, flies, aphids, spiders), and tree sap.

How it forages

Feeds primarily on nectar, hovering in front of flowers and extending its long tongue to extract nectar. Also catches small insects in mid-air (hawking) or gleans them from foliage. Will visit sap wells created by sapsuckers. Highly territorial around food sources.

When it feeds

Diurnal, most active during daylight hours, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.

Explore the Rufous Hummingbird