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Hummingbirds are small, agile birds known for their rapid wing beats, hovering flight, and specialized feeding on nectar. The Rufous Hummingbird is a feisty, migratory species found in western North America, known for its extensive migration. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America, also a long-distance migrant.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 7-9 cm (2.8-3.5 in)
- Wingspan
- 11 cm (4.3 in)
- Weight
- 2-5 g (0.07-0.18 oz)
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years (up to 8 years recorded)
- Diet
- Nectar, small insects, and spiders
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Rufous Hummingbird: Adult males are iridescent orange-red on the back and flanks, with a brilliant iridescent red-orange gorget (throat patch). Females and juveniles are green above, white below, with rufous flanks and some rufous in the tail. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Adult males are iridescent green above, white below, with a brilliant iridescent ruby-red gorget. Females and juveniles are iridescent green above, white below, with no gorget (females may have faint streaking on the throat) and white tips on the outer tail feathers.
- Beak shape
- Both species have long, slender, straight, needle-like black bills, adapted for probing flowers.
- Eye color
- Dark brown
- Leg color
- Dark gray to black
- Distinguishing features
- Rufous Hummingbird: Males are unmistakable with their extensive rufous plumage. Females and juveniles are distinguished from other green-backed hummingbirds by the rufous wash on their flanks and tail base, and often a few iridescent orange-red feathers on the throat. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Males are identified by their solid green back and ruby throat. Females and juveniles are identified by their solid green back, white underparts, and lack of rufous on the flanks or tail (except for white tips on outer tail feathers).
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles of both species resemble adult females. Juvenile male Rufous Hummingbirds may show some orange-red gorget feathers and rufous on the back. Juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may show dark streaking or a few red feathers on the throat.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes beyond the maturation of juvenile males into adult plumage.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Pronounced in both species. Males are much more brightly colored with iridescent gorgets. Females and juveniles are duller, primarily green and white, with less or no iridescent throat patch.
How to identify
- 1
Male Gorget Color and Back Color
For males, the color of the iridescent throat patch (gorget) and the back are primary identifiers. Ruby-throated males have a ruby-red gorget and a solid green back. Rufous males have an orange-red gorget and a rufous (orange-brown) back, though some may have green patches.
- 2
Female/Juvenile Flank and Tail Color
For females and juveniles, look for rufous (orange-brown) coloration on the flanks and at the base of the tail feathers. Rufous Hummingbirds will show this prominently. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will not have rufous on the flanks or tail, but will have white tips on the outer tail feathers.
- 3
Geographic Range and Season
Consider your location and the time of year. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only widespread breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. Rufous Hummingbirds are primarily western, though they can be found along the Gulf Coast during winter migration.
- 4
Behavior
Rufous Hummingbirds are notoriously aggressive and feisty, often chasing other hummingbirds and even larger birds from feeders. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are also territorial but may appear slightly less aggressive than Rufous.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Forest edges, open woodlands, meadows, suburban gardens, parks, chaparral, mountain slopes.
- Geographic range
- Rufous Hummingbird: Breeds from southeastern Alaska and British Columbia south through the Pacific Northwest to northern California and east to the Rocky Mountains. Winters primarily in Mexico, with some individuals wintering along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Breeds across eastern North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Winters primarily in Mexico and Central America, with some individuals wintering in Florida and along the Gulf Coast.
- Elevation range
- Sea level to high mountain elevations (up to 3,600 meters or 12,000 feet for Rufous Hummingbirds during migration).
- Preferred environments
- Areas with abundant flowering plants, especially tubular flowers, and a mix of open spaces for foraging and dense vegetation for nesting and perching. They are common visitors to backyard feeders.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal, most active during daylight hours, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
- Feeding habits
- Primarily nectarivores, feeding on nectar from a wide variety of tubular flowers. They also consume small insects and spiders for protein, often caught in mid-air or gleaned from foliage. They are frequent visitors to hummingbird feeders.
- Social behavior
- Generally solitary and highly territorial, especially males. They will aggressively defend feeding territories (flowers or feeders) against other hummingbirds and even larger birds or insects.
- Flight pattern
- Characterized by rapid, buzzing wing beats (up to 50-80 beats per second), allowing for hovering flight, flying backward, and sudden changes in direction. They are extremely agile fliers.
- Migration pattern
- Both species are long-distance migrants. Rufous Hummingbirds undertake one of the longest migrations relative to their body size, traveling up to 4,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also migrate long distances, often crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight. Males typically migrate earlier than females and juveniles.
- Territoriality
- Highly territorial, particularly around food sources (flowers, feeders) and nesting sites. Males perform aggressive dive displays to ward off intruders.
Song & calls
- Song
- Hummingbirds do not have complex songs in the traditional sense. Their vocalizations are primarily short, sharp calls.
- Call
- Rufous Hummingbird: Emits sharp, buzzy 'chip' notes, often given during chases or territorial disputes. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Produces high-pitched, squeaky 'chew' or 'tew' calls, often given while hovering or chasing.
- When they vocalize
- Calls are given year-round, but more frequently during territorial defense, courtship, and when agitated.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Rufous Hummingbird: April to July. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: April to August.
- Nesting habits
- Females build tiny, cup-shaped nests, typically on a downward-sloping branch, often camouflaged with lichens and spider silk. Nests are usually 1-6 meters (3-20 feet) above the ground.
- Clutch size
- Typically 2 eggs.
- Egg description
- Two tiny, white, elliptical eggs, approximately 12 x 8 mm.
- Incubation period
- 12-16 days, incubated solely by the female.
- Fledging period
- 18-22 days after hatching, young are fed by the female.
- Parental care
- Only the female cares for the eggs and young. Males do not participate in nesting or raising young.
Where to find
Backyard Gardens
Plant native tubular flowers (e.g., bee balm, cardinal flower, salvia) and hang hummingbird feeders (red is attractive, use 4:1 sugar water solution).
Forest Edges and Open Woodlands
Look for areas with a mix of trees and flowering undergrowth, especially near water sources.
Meadows and Mountain Slopes
During migration, especially for Rufous Hummingbirds, these open, flower-rich habitats are important feeding grounds.
Parks and Botanical Gardens
Well-maintained gardens with diverse flowering plants are excellent places to observe hummingbirds.
Field tips
- Be Patient and Still. Hummingbirds are small and fast. Find a good spot near flowers or a feeder and remain still. They will often approach closely.
- Listen for Buzzing. Their rapid wing beats create a distinctive buzzing sound, which often alerts you to their presence before you see them.
- Look for Movement. Scan flowering plants and feeders for quick, darting movements or hovering birds.
- Use Binoculars. Even at close range, binoculars can help resolve key identification features like gorget color, back color, and flank markings.
- Provide Feeders. Hummingbird feeders are a reliable way to attract and observe these birds, especially during migration.
Similar species
Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Very similar to Rufous Hummingbird. Male Allen's has a green back (Rufous has rufous back), though some Rufous males can have green on the back. Females and juveniles are extremely difficult to distinguish; Allen's typically has less rufous on the flanks and tail, and a broader outer tail feather. Range is a key differentiator: Allen's is primarily coastal California and Oregon, while Rufous is more widespread in the west.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Males have a rose-pink gorget (Ruby-throated is ruby-red). Females and juveniles are green above, white below, but lack the rufous of Rufous Hummingbirds and have a broader tail. Males produce a distinctive trilling sound with their wings in flight, which Ruby-throated does not.
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Males have an iridescent rose-pink crown and gorget (Ruby-throated has only a red gorget, Rufous has orange-red gorget and rufous back). Females and juveniles are green above, gray below, and often show some iridescent red on the throat. Anna's is a resident species in much of its range, unlike the migratory Rufous and Ruby-throated.
Quick facts
- Smallest Birds:
- Among the smallest birds in the world.
- Fastest Wing Beats:
- Wings beat 50-80 times per second, creating a humming sound.
- High Metabolism:
- Require frequent feeding due to extremely high metabolic rates.
- Torpor:
- Can enter a state of torpor (hibernation-like state) to conserve energy during cold nights or food scarcity.
- Long-Distance Migrants:
- Both Rufous and Ruby-throated undertake impressive annual migrations.
Fun facts
- Hummingbirds are the only birds that can truly fly backward.
- Their hearts can beat over 1,200 times per minute during intense activity.
- They consume up to twice their body weight in nectar and insects daily.
- The iridescent colors of their gorgets are not due to pigment, but to structural coloration, where light interacts with microscopic feather structures.
- Rufous Hummingbirds have one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird, relative to their size.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Selasphorus (Rufous), Archilochus (Ruby-throated)
- Species
- Selasphorus rufus (Rufous), Archilochus colubris (Ruby-throated)
Explore the Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) and Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
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