The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small, rotund bird with an iridescent reddish-orange plumage that shimmers in the sunlight. But how did this tiny bird get its colorful and distinct name? The story behind the Rufous Hummingbird’s name reveals key details about its appearance, behavior, habitat, and history.
Appearance
The most striking feature of the Rufous Hummingbird that led to its naming is the male’s vivid reddish-orange plumage. When in bright light, the males appear to “glow” with their fiery rufous (reddish-brown) colors. The females and juveniles are more greenish in color. The males get their brilliant coloring from feather pigments called carotenoids that are obtained through their diet of nectar and small insects.
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the smallest birds in North America, measuring just 2-3 inches in length and weighing 2-5 grams. True to its name in the hummingbird family, it can beat its wings up to an astonishing 70 times per second, allowing it to hover in midair and swiftly change directions.
Behavior
The Rufous Hummingbird is known for its aggressive defense of flower patches and feeders. They will confront larger birds that enter their territory, even hawks and crows, by repeatedly diving at the intruder. Their rapid dives and loud chipping vocalizations are dramatic given their tiny size. This scrappy personality adds to their reputation as a fierce, bold hummingbird.
Male Rufous Hummingbirds use elaborate courtship displays to attract females. They fly in repeated U-shaped patterns, reach up to 100 body lengths per second in a steep dive, and produce a loud chirp at the bottom of the dive. If successful, the female will mate with the male and build a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down and spider webs to house her two pea-sized eggs.
Habitat
The Rufous Hummingbird breeds in open wooded areas and meadows from southeastern Alaska across western Canada and the northwestern U.S. After breeding, they migrate remarkably long distances to spend the winter in Mexico and the southern U.S. They are one of the most widespread hummingbird species in North America.
Their breeding habitat provides the flowers and insects necessary to raise their young. The higher latitude landscapes allow them to take advantage of long summer daylight hours to feed voraciously and bulk up before their long migration south. In wintering grounds, they are drawn to colorful tubular flowers and nectar feeders in gardens and parks.
History
The first written account of the Rufous Hummingbird comes from English naturalist George Edwards in 1743 based on a specimen from the Hudson Bay area, but it did not yet have a distinct name. It was later given the scientific name Trochilus rufus in 1827 by French naturalist René Lesson, with Trochilus indicating its placement in the hummingbird family and rufus Latin for “reddish” or “rufous” in reference to its bright coloration.
The common name Rufous Hummingbird, along with its current scientific name Selasphorus rufus, became firmly established after American ornithologist Spencer Fullerton Baird highlighted the uniqueness of its rufous plumage in his influential 1865 book “Review of American Birds.” The name has endured as it captures the bird’s most obvious physical characteristic.
Description
Let’s take a closer look at the physical features and dimensions that set the Rufous Hummingbird apart:
Size and mass
- Length: 2.8-3.5 in (7-9 cm)
- Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm)
- Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz (2-6 g)
As you can see, they are remarkably tiny birds even compared to other hummingbirds. Their small size allows them to hover in place even in strong winds.
Plumage
- Males: Fiery orange on head, back, rump, and belly. Greenish on tail, wings, legs, and feet. Metallic reddish-violet throat.
- Females: Greenish overall with small orange spot on rump. Speckled throat.
- Juveniles: Resemble adult female but with buffy stripes on throat and chest.
The males’ vibrant rufous plumage on so much of their body is what gives the species its name. The striking plumage differences help distinguish males and females.
Bill
- Short, straight
- Black in color
Their small bill matches the size of their body and allows them to retrieve nectar from flowers.
Wings
- Long, narrow wings
- Triangular shaped when spread
The wings allow them to fly swiftly between flowers and hover precisely in place.
Tail
- Medium length
- Rufous-colored in males, greener in females
- Forked shape
They fan their forked tails open and shut during complex mating displays.
Geographic Range
Rufous Hummingbirds breed in a large swath of western North America and winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Here is a map of their breeding and wintering grounds:
Breeding Range
- Alaska
- Western Canada
- Pacific Northwest U.S.
- Rocky Mountains
- As far east as Montana, Wyoming, Colorado
They breed in forest and meadow habitats from sea level to high elevations.
Winter Range
- Mexico
- Gulf Coast southern U.S.
- Pacific Coast southwest U.S.
They primarily winter in Mexico, with fewer numbers along the U.S. Gulf and southwest coasts.
Migration
- One of the longest migrations of any North American bird
- Travel over 2,000 miles between breeding and wintering grounds
- Fly nonstop over the Gulf of Mexico (500 mile open water crossing)
Their long migratory journeys involve flying and refueling for up to 20 hours at a time.
Diet
Rufous Hummingbirds have adapted to thrive on a high-energy diet ideal for powering their tiny bodies:
Nectar
- Main food source
- Feeds on flower nectar by licking it with extendable tongues
- Favorite flower types:
- Columbines
- Trumpet vines
- Penstemons
Nectar gives them carbohydrates for energy. Their tongues have tube-like tips perfect for retrieving nectar.
Small Insects
- Eats small spiders, insects, tree sap
- Provides protein needed for reproduction and feather growth
- Preferred insects:
- Ants
- Aphids
- Fruit flies
- Mosquitoes
- Gnats
Insects provide an essential source of fat and protein to supplement their main nectar diet.
Backyard Feeders
- Readily visit backyard nectar feeders
- Favor bright red feeders
- High-energy sugar water mix: 1 part table sugar to 4 parts water
Backyard feeders provide an abundant supplemental food source, especially in winter.
Reproduction and Lifecycle
Rufous Hummingbirds have a dynamic annual lifecycle shaped by their long migrations and active breeding period:
Breeding Season
- Late spring and summer
- Begins arriving on breeding grounds as early as February
- Males arrive first and establish breeding territories
- Females arrive approximately 2 weeks after males
- Males court females with elaborate flight displays
- Females build tiny cup-shaped nest on tree branch
Their breeding season coincides with the flowering season in their northern latitude habitat to provide food for nesting.
Clutch Size
- 1-3 eggs per clutch
- 2 eggs most common
- Tiny white eggs
- Incubated by female for 14-16 days
The female alone incubates the pea-sized eggs and cares for the hatchlings.
Nestlings
- Hatchlings altricial (helpless) and only few grams in weight
- Cared for by female parent only
- Fledge from nest at 18-25 days old
The nestlings grow incredibly fast, increasing their weight 10 times in just over 2 weeks before fledging from the nest.
Number of Broods
- 1-3 broods per breeding season
- Higher number of broods in southern breeding range
- As few as 1 brood per season in Alaska
The number of broods depends on how long the breeding season lasts in a given area.
Migration
- Males begin migrating south as early as June
- Females and juveniles follow later in summer
- Fall migration completed by early November
- Northbound spring migration in late February to May
Their migration schedule ensures they leave once breeding is complete and return in time for the next breeding season.
Interesting Facts
Here are some incredible highlights and fun facts about the petite Rufous Hummingbird:
- Smallest breeding bird in Rocky Mountains
- High-pitched chipping call
- Wings beat up to 70 times per second
- Fly 30-50 mph during migration
- Some migrate over 5,000 miles roundtrip annually
- Heartrate up to 1,200 beats per minute
- Only bird known to migrate from Alaska to Mexico
- tolerates overnight temperatures down to 23 Fahrenheit
- Females regularly nest in western Canada despite winter lows below -40 F
- Males highly protective of feeding areas
- Out-competes other hummingbird species
- Star of many Native American legends
These characteristics portray the Rufous as a hardy, speedy, and feisty hummingbird species that thrives across an incredibly diverse range.
Population Status
The Rufous Hummingbird has a large population and extensive range. Their population trends and conservation status include:
- Global population estimated at 5 million
- Population considered stable currently
- Has expanded breeding range northward in past decades
- Not listed as threatened or endangered
This abundant hummingbird continues to thrive despite some threats from habitat loss and climate change effects on flowering schedules. Maintaining healthy ecosystems and providing supplemental feeding can support their populations.
Fun Facts Table
Here are some of the most fascinating Rufous Hummingbird facts highlighted in a quick visual table:
Attribute | Fun Fact |
---|---|
Size | One of the smallest bird species in North America |
Wings | Beat up to 70 times per second |
Heartrate | Up to 1,200 beats per minute |
Migration | One of the longest migrations of any North American bird |
Breeding | Nest in western Canada despite -40F winter temperatures |
Defense | Aggressively defend feeding territories |
Conclusion
In summary, the Rufous Hummingbird’s name originates from the distinctive reddish-orange plumage of the males that first caught the eyes of early European explorers and naturalists. Their bright coloring and pugnacious behavior reflect the bold, dynamic nature of a species specially adapted for surviving everything from tropical winters to subarctic summers across an extensive range. The Rufous Hummingbird remains one of the most remarkable and recognizable hummingbirds in North America.