Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus
- Spanish Name: Colibrí rufo
- Family: Trochilidae
- Known Nicknames: Red-backed Hummingbird
- Average Length: 7–9 cm / 2.8–3.5 in
- Average Weight: 2–5 g / 0.07–0.18 oz
- Wingspan: 11 cm / 4.3 in
- Key Feature: Iridescent orange-red gorget and copper-orange (rufous) body plumage in males
- Primary Diet: Primarily Nectarivore, also Insectivore
- Range: Western North America from Alaska and Canada to Mexico and the Gulf Coast
- Habitat: Coniferous forests, mountain meadows, brushy areas, and gardens
- Social Structure: Solitary and highly territorial
- Nesting/Breeding: Cup nests built on tree branches or in shrubs using lichen, moss, and spider silk
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened (NT)
- Population Trend: Decreasing
The Rufous Hummingbird (*Selasphorus rufus*) is a tiny powerhouse known for its fiery appearance and feisty personality. Males are easily recognized by their brilliant coppery-orange plumage and a glowing iridescent red-orange throat, while females sport green backs with warm rufous flanks. Despite their small size, these birds are legendary for their aggression, often defending nectar sources against much larger rivals with acrobatic aerial displays. Perhaps their most remarkable feat is their extraordinary migration, traveling nearly 4,000 miles from nesting grounds in Alaska to wintering sites in Mexico—one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird relative to its body length. This combination of vibrant beauty, bold temperament, and incredible stamina makes the Rufous Hummingbird a true marvel of the avian world.
Faits amusants
These birds are the ultimate long-distance champions, completing a 3,900-mile migration from Alaska to Mexico that stands as the longest journey of any hummingbird relative to body size. Known for being exceptionally feisty, they are the "bullies" of the backyard, frequently chasing away much larger birds and even squirrels from nectar sources. To survive freezing temperatures during their northern travels, they can drop their body temperature from 104°F to just 54°F in a state of torpor, effectively "shutting down" to save energy. They also possess a photographic memory, enabling them to navigate back to the exact same flowers and feeders year after year across their vast migratory route.
Habitats et répartition
This species possesses one of the most extensive migratory journeys of any bird its size, breeding as far north as southern Alaska and western Canada through the Pacific Northwest. During its annual cycle, it follows a "clock-wise" migratory path, moving north along the Pacific Coast in the spring and returning south through the Rocky Mountains in late summer to exploit high-altitude wildflowers. Its primary wintering grounds are located in Mexico, though it is increasingly observed wintering along the Gulf Coast and parts of the southeastern United States. In terms of habitat, it favors open areas that provide a high density of nectar-producing flowers. During the breeding season, it is commonly found in coniferous forests, woodland edges, and mountain meadows. Throughout migration and on its wintering grounds, it inhabits a diverse range of environments including shrublands, oak-pine forests, and suburban gardens. It is highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes, frequently visiting backyard feeders and cultivated floral displays across its migratory corridor.
Comportements & Reproduction
Renowned for extreme territoriality, these birds aggressively defend nectar sources against rivals and much larger species. They lead a solitary existence, with males and females interacting only briefly for reproduction. Males are polygynous and attract mates through spectacular aerial displays, performing steep, J-shaped dives that create a distinct "chattering" sound with their tail feathers. Once mating is successful, the male takes no part in nesting or chick-rearing, moving on to find other partners. The female independently constructs a sophisticated cup-shaped nest using soft plant fibers and lichen, bound together by spider silk to allow the structure to expand as the chicks grow. She typically lays two eggs and provides all the parental care, including hunting for insects to provide the protein necessary for the young's development. To survive the energetic demands of breeding and their long-distance migrations, they utilize torpor, a state of decreased physiological activity that significantly lowers their metabolic rate during the night to conserve vital energy.
Alimentation
The Rufous Hummingbird primarily fuels its high-energy lifestyle by consuming floral nectar, favoring brightly colored, tubular flowers such as columbines, penstemons, and lilies. To obtain essential proteins and minerals, it also supplements this sugar-rich diet by hunting small insects and spiders, often capturing them in mid-air or gleaning them from leaves. An interesting aspect of their feeding behavior is their remarkable spatial memory, which allows them to recall the exact locations of specific flowers and track how long it takes for nectar to replenish. During their long-distance migrations, these birds can nearly double their body mass in fat to sustain their flight, sometimes visiting hundreds of flowers daily. Furthermore, they are notoriously territorial and aggressive, frequently defending choice nectar sources against other hummingbirds and even larger insects like bees.
Couleurs
Adult male Rufous Hummingbirds feature a brilliant iridescent red-orange throat gorget, a solid copper-orange back, and a white breast. Females and juveniles are more camouflaged, sporting metallic green backs, rufous-washed flanks, and white-tipped tail feathers with sparse orange throat spotting. Their earthy cinnamon tones allow them to blend into bark and dead leaves, while the male's luminous gorget is used for striking territorial displays.
