Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds to observe due to their diminutive size, iridescent plumage, and ability to hover and fly backwards. With over 300 species, telling them apart can sometimes be tricky for novice birders. Two species in particular that overlap in range and cause confusion are the Rufous Hummingbird and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Range and Habitat
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is found in eastern North America during the breeding season and migrates to Central America for the winter. Its range extends from Nova Scotia down to Florida and west to the Great Plains. The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north from Alaska and Canada south to Oregon and California. It migrates all the way to Mexico for winter. There is some overlap along the West Coast and Rocky Mountains where these species may both occur during migration.
Ruby-throats occupy deciduous forests and forest edges, parks and gardens, particularly areas with lots of flowers. Rufous Hummingbirds use more open or disturbed habitats including meadows, coastal scrub, yards, and open pine forests. They readily adapt to artificial feeders while migrating or on their wintering grounds.
Field Marks and Physical Description
In terms of field marks, Ruby-throated males have an iridescent red throat and white breast while females lack the red throat and are whitish underneath. Rufous males have an iridescent orange-red throat patch and rufous (orange-red) flanks. Females may show some peachy color on the throat and have greenish flanks.
Some key physical differences:
- Bill shape: Ruby-throats have a straight bill; Rufous have a slightly downturned bill
- Tail shape: Ruby-throats have a notched or forked tail; Rufous have a rounder tail with white tip spots
- Size: Ruby-throats are smaller (3-4 in) compared to the larger Rufous (3.5-4.3 in)
- Wing beats per second: Ruby-throats beat wings 52 times per second compared to the faster 63 beats per second of Rufous
| Feature | Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Rufous Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Bill shape | Straight | Slightly downturned |
| Tail shape | Notched or forked | Rounded with white tips |
| Size | 3-4 inches | 3.5-4.3 inches |
| Wing beats per second | 52 | 63 |
Plumage Differences
In terms of plumage, adult male Ruby-throats are dusty green above with a brilliant iridescent red throat, white breast and belly, and dusky flanks. Females are similar but lack the red throat, having white undersides with some dusky spots towards the flanks. Juveniles resemble adult females but with some streaking on the throat.
Rufous males have a coppery-red back, orange-red throat, and rufous flanks. Females have greenish backs, peachy colored throat, and white breast with greenish flanks. The white tail tips and rufous coloring help distinguish them from the ruby-throats. Juveniles resemble females but may have some spotting on throat and breast.
Some key plumage differences:
- Throat color: Ruby-throats have red, Rufous have orange-red
- Belly: Ruby-throats have white, Rufous have greenish
- Back: Ruby-throats green, Rufous coppery-orange
- Tail tips: Ruby-throats lack white, Rufous have white
Behavioral Differences
Ruby-throats are fiercely territorial, aggressively defending their feeding areas, particularly males defending territory for nesting. Rufous Hummingbirds are more aggressive than Ruby-throats, attacking other hummers entering their territory.
Some behavioral differences:
- Territoriality: Rufous are more aggressive defenders of territory
- Courtship: Rufous make dramatic courtship dives from heights of up to 130 ft
- Migration: Ruby-throats make a nonstop trans-Gulf migration, Rufous migrate along West coast
- Feeding: Rufous lick nectar with brush-tipped tongue, Ruby-throats use tubular tongues
| Behavior | Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Rufous Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Territoriality | Less aggressive | More aggressive |
| Courtship | Shallower dives | Dramatic 130 ft dives |
| Migration | Trans-Gulf | Along West coast |
| Feeding | Tubular tongue | Brush-tipped tongue |
Habits and Diet
Ruby-throats eat a diverse diet visiting flower gardens as well as natural areas. Favorite flowers include columbines, bee balm, and trumpet vine. They also eat tree sap, small insects, and spiders to supplement their diet. Rufous Hummingbirds have a strong preference for flowers with tubular or bell shapes that accommodate their brush-tipped tongues such as Indian paintbrush, foxglove, and fireweed.
In terms of nesting habits, Ruby-throats build small cups of plant down and spider webs on tree branches. Rufous nests are more elaborate and built higher up in pine trees using mosses, plant fibers, and bark bound with spider silk on top of old woodpecker cavities or broken branches.
Some key differences in habits and diet:
- Diet – Ruby-throats are generalists, Rufous prefer tubular flowers
- Nests – Ruby-throat cups in trees, Rufous complex nests high in pines
- Migration – Ruby-throats fly 500-mile nonstop over Gulf, Rufous migrate along coasts
Geographic Range
Ruby-throated hummingbirds breed in eastern North America and winter in Central America, migrating up to 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico. Their breeding range extends from Nova Scotia to Florida west to the Great Plains. Rufous Hummingbirds breed farther north from Alaska to California and winter along the Pacific Coast into Mexico. There is some overlap along the West Coast and Rockies where both species occur while migrating.
Breeding and wintering range of the Rufous Hummingbird.
Breeding and wintering range of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Conclusion
Telling a Rufous Hummingbird apart from a Ruby-throated takes a keen eye, but by paying attention to details of plumage, size, vocalizations, habitat, and behavior you can learn to identify them. Ruby-throats are smaller and greener with forked tails, only the males having red throats. Rufous are feistier, with rufous flanks, broken tail bands, and orange beaks. Learning the subtleties between these species takes practice, but improving your identification skills will open up a fascinating world.
