Yes, there are female Rufus hummingbirds. The Rufus hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird species found along the Pacific Coast of North America. Like most bird species, Rufus hummingbirds exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning there are distinct physical differences between males and females of the species.
The males are the ones with the bright, iridescent orange-red throats and crowns for which the species is named. This bright coloration comes from unique feather structures that reflect light. The females, on the other hand, have green crowns and white throats with fine dark streaks on the feathers. This more camouflaged plumage allows the female better cover while incubating eggs.
So while the males may get all the attention with their flashy feathers, there are just as many females in the Rufus hummingbird population. The females are crucial for nesting, incubating eggs, and raising chicks.
Physical description of female Rufus hummingbirds
As mentioned briefly above, female Rufus hummingbirds lack the bright, colorful plumage of the males. Here is a more detailed look at the physical description of female Rufus hummingbirds:
– Size: Females are typically ever so slightly larger than males. They reach about 3-3.5 inches long and weigh 2-4 grams on average. Their wingspan ranges from 4.3-4.7 inches across.
– Bill: Females have a long, slender, slightly curved bill that measures about 0.8-1.1 inches in length. This allows them to reach inside flowers for nectar.
– Plumage: Females have bright green crowns and backs. Their undersides are whitish in color with soft streaks on the throat in particular. The outer tail feathers range from rufous at the base to black at the tip, with white banding throughout.
– Wings: Their wings are a dusky brown-gray color on the upper sides and more gray on the undersides. Patches of rufous color appear at the bend and edges of the wings.
– Legs and feet: Their legs and feet are dark gray or black in color.
– Differences from males: In addition to the more subdued plumage colors, females’ tail streamers are shorter than the males’ long, forked ones. Females also lack the bright orange-red iridescent coloration on the throat and crown that gives males their name.
Life stages and molting
Female Rufus hummingbirds may undergo multiple plumage changes throughout their lifetimes:
– Juvenile plumage: Hatchlings and young fledglings both resemble adult females but with even fewer markings on the throat and crown. Their first set of feathers tends to be grayish overall with very little coloration.
– Immature plumage: As juvenile females molt their first set of feathers, their new plumage starts to take on more green and rufous hues. However, the throat and crown lack any bold streaking or colors.
– Adult plumage: After their second year, females molt into their full adult plumage with the green crown, rufous-tipped tail, and streaked white throat. Adult females undergo a complete molt before fall migration each year.
– Older female plumage: In older age, female plumage may fade to a paler whitish-gray underside and dingier greenish-brown crown. Physical signs of aging include worn, tattered feathers.
Distribution and habitat
The breeding habitat of Rufus hummingbirds centers along the Pacific Coast of North America from southern Alaska to northern California. Some key details about the habitat range include:
– Breeding grounds: They breed primarily in coastal areas from Alaska to northern California. The highest densities occur in Washington, Oregon, and southern British Columbia.
– Wintering grounds: During winter, most birds migrate south to Mexico and the Gulf Coast. Some may remain year-round in California and the Pacific Northwest if flowers are available.
– Prime habitat features: Shaded forests and woodland areas along the Pacific Coast. They prefer forests with plenty of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees where they can forage for food. Coniferous forests provide ideal cover.
– Elevation: From sea level up to 10,000 feet in mountain pine forests during summer breeding season. At lower elevations down to sea level during winter.
– Range area: Approximately 44,000 square miles of breeding habitat and 190,000 square miles including wintering grounds.
Migration and wintering
The migration and wintering habits of Rufus hummingbirds include:
– Migration: Most Rufus hummingbirds migrate south in late summer or fall, starting in August or September. They travel along the Pacific Coast through California and Mexico to wintering grounds.
– Wintering grounds: The primary wintering range extends from southern California through Mexico into Panama. Some birds may remain in coastal California year-round if flower resources are sufficient.
– Timing: Fall migration south begins as early as late July and ramps up through August and September. Northward return migration occurs March through May.
– Route: They follow a fairly direct coastal migration route along the Pacific Coast. Some birds cross the Gulf of Mexico while others skirt the coastline through Mexico.
– Behavior: Males begin migrating first, followed by adult females, and finally immature birds. Like other hummingbirds, they migrate individually rather than in flocks.
– Winter habits: In Mexico and Central America, they occupy a variety of wooded and scrub habitats with flowering plants. They aggressively defend winter feeding territories.
Diet and feeding
The diet of female Rufus hummingbirds centers around nectar and small insects:
– Primary food source: Nectar from colorful, tubular flower blossoms makes up the bulk of their diet. Favorite flowers include currants, gooseberries, columbines, lilies, and more.
– Supplemental insects: To obtain protein, females eat small spiders, insects, and insect eggs and larvae gleaned from leaves, branches, and bark.
– Feeding method: Females use their slender bills and extensile tongues to drink nectar while hovering in front of flowers. They also snatch insects from foliage while flying.
– Daily intake: Hummingbirds need to consume up to half their weight in nectar daily and hundreds of insects for protein. Fast metabolism requires frequent feeding.
– Energy needs: High energy requirements necessitate visiting hundreds or even over a thousand flowers per day. They feed every 10-15 minutes on average.
– Role of nectar: Nectar provides carbohydrates for energy. Different nectar concentrations may affect feeding preferences and how often they need to feed.
– Water: They get most of their water from nectar but may also drink rainwater collected in tree hollows or other cavities.
Courtship and reproduction
Reproduction in Rufus hummingbirds involves the following behaviors and stages:
– Breeding season: They breed between March and early August, with peak activity in June and July. Some second broods may occur into September.
– Courtship displays: Males perform aerial displays, shuttle flights, and elaborate dives to impress females and signal their fitness.
– Pair bonds: Pair bonds are temporary, lasting only until eggs hatch. Females alone build the nest and care for the young.
– Nest building: Using plant down and spider webs, females construct a compact cup nest on outer branches of trees.
– Clutch: The average clutch size is 2 small white eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 14-16 days.
– Hatchlings: Helpless, naked hatchlings weigh only about 0.6 grams. They develop and leave the nest in 18-25 days.
– Broods: Females may raise up to 3 broods per season, with higher brood numbers in southern parts of the range.
– Offspring: Incubation and care of young is done exclusively by the female with no male participation.
– Lifespan: Average lifespan in the wild is 3-5 years. Oldest recorded Rufus hummingbird was 8 years old.
Vocalizations
Female Rufus hummingbirds make a range of vocalizations used for communication:
– Chip notes: Short, high-pitched chip or “ticking” notes used frequently in aggressive encounters over flowers or feeders.
– Chatter calls: Fast rattling or chattering sounds during disputes with other hummingbirds. Also used in courtship interactions.
– Peak chee notes: Loud, whistled “peak” notes followed by buzzy “chee” sounds during breeding disputes and fights.
– Tail-popping: Mechanical sounds made with their tail feathers during courtship displays.
– Begging calls: High-pitched begging calls made by hatchlings to solicit food from the mother.
– Distress cries: Harsh, grating alarm calls when predators or threats are detected.
– Wing trill: Brief trill made by vibration of wings, often while diving in courtship displays.
– Flight hum: Low hum made by the wings during normal forward flight, often inaudible to humans.
Threats and survival
Some key threats facing female Rufus hummingbirds include:
– Loss of breeding habitats: Forest clearing, urbanization, and logging reduces nesting sites and flowering food sources.
– Loss of winter habitat: Development in Mexico, California, and the Gulf Coast impacts vital wintering grounds.
– Pesticides: Chemical pesticides and herbicides can contaminate flowers and poison the birds.
– Climate change: Warming trends, droughts, and disrupted flowering schedules may limit food availability.
– Predation: Common nest predators include jays, crows, squirrels, raccoons, and snakes. Hawks, falcons, and cats prey on adults.
– Collisions: Birds may collide with buildings, cars, windows, wires, and fences, especially during migrations.
– Extreme weather: Cold snaps, heat waves, storms, and drought can wipe out food supplies.
– Disease: Bacterial and fungal infections are emerging diseases impacting wild hummingbirds.
– Backyard feeders: Sugar water mixes must be properly maintained to avoid disease transmission.
Conservation status
The Rufus hummingbird remains a fairly common species but may face increasing threats in the future:
– IUCN status: Least concern currently on the IUCN Red List. Widespread range and population estimated at 3.5 million birds.
– Population trend: Generally stable currently but will require continued monitoring and habitat conservation efforts.
– Common species: The second most common and widespread hummingbird species in the U.S. after the Ruby-throated hummingbird.
– Threat level: Due to reliance on fragile habitats like mountain meadows, they remain vulnerable to climate change and habitat loss. Their small size provides no buffer against threats.
– Priority species: Identified as a priority species under multiple conservation plans for California and the Pacific Northwest. Focus is monitoring populations.
– Ongoing threats: Habitat degradation, pesticides, climate shifts, and invasive species spread remain ongoing threats to monitor carefully.
– Future outlook: With habitat protection and responsible land stewardship, their future outlook can remain positive. Public education is key.
Fun facts
Below are some fun and interesting facts about female Rufus hummingbirds:
– Iridescent feathers: While less colorful than males, females do have iridescent crown feathers that shift subtly from gold to green depending on light.
– Tiny nests: Their delicate nests are only about 1.5 inches wide on the inside – barely larger than the female herself!
– Wind riders: They regularly ride gusts and updrafts to soar to altitudes over 12,000 feet above sea level.
– Rotating wings: Hummingbirds are the only birds that can rotate their wings in a full circle as they hover and fly backwards or upside-down.
– Record migrants: Rufus hummingbirds undertake the longest migration of any hummingbird species, with many crossing the Gulf of Mexico.
– Tongue adaptation: Their tongues have forked tips to lap up nectar and tube-like structures that pump nectar to the throat.
– Torpor use: To conserve energy, they can enter a hibernation-like torpor state overnight or in cold weather.
– Fastest bird: Relative to body size, they are the fastest moving animals on earth, reaching over 50 mph in courtship dives.
– Smart mimics: Females perform wing-clicking sounds that mimic insect prey to attract potential mates.
– Oldest bird: A female Rufus hummingbird banded in Louisiana was recaptured 8 years later, making her at least 9 years old.
Comparisons with other hummingbirds
How do female Rufus hummingbirds compare to some other common hummingbird species?
| Species | Location | Size | Female Colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Eastern US | 3-4 in | Green above, white below |
| Anna’s | West Coast US | 3-4 in | Gray head, green back, grey underparts |
| Rufus | Pacific Coast | 3-3.5 in | Green crown, white throat with streaks |
| Broad-tailed | Rocky Mountains | 3.5-4 in | Green above, white below with spots |
| Calliope | Western US | 2.75-3.25 in | Pale beige and white plumage |
While similar in overall size and shape, some key differences among species include the coloring on the head, throat, and chest as well as differences in ranges across North America. Female Rufus hummingbirds are best identified by their green crowns and streaked throats.
Conclusion
In summary, female Rufus hummingbirds make up half of the species population and play a vital role in nesting, raising chicks, and preserving future generations. While less colorful than males, they have an understated beauty in their rufous-tipped tails and subtly iridescent green crowns. As primary caretakers of their young, females exemplify the fierce devotion hummingbirds have for their offspring. Ensuring healthy habitats and food sources across their breeding and migratory ranges is key to the continued success of these tiny, fascinating birds. With a wide distribution along North America’s Pacific Coast, Rufus hummingbirds remain a common and celebratory sight from Alaska to Mexico.
