The Rufous Hummingbird is a small, feisty hummingbird species found along the Pacific Coast of North America. The males are very distinctive with their bright orange plumage, but the females can be trickier to identify. This article will provide tips on how to distinguish the female Rufous Hummingbird from other similar hummingbird species. We’ll cover details on size, shape, plumage, behavior, habitat, range maps, and more to positively identify these tiny birds. Read on to become an expert at spotting female Rufous Hummingbirds!
What does a female Rufous Hummingbird look like?
The female Rufous Hummingbird is relatively small at 3-3.5 inches long. Here are some key physical features to look for:
- Bronze-green upper parts
- White underparts with green striping on the flanks
- White tips on the tail feathers
- A slightly downcurved bill
- An orange, spotted throat (less vibrant than the male’s)
The plumage is overall duller than a male’s bright coloring. But the throat still shows some spotting and orange hues, unlike similar species. Females may also display some rusty feather tufts over the eyes. The tail is rounded with white tips and black central feathers. When perched, the female Rufous Hummingbird will often pump its tail up and down.
How to differentiate from similar species
The female Rufous can sometimes be confused with these other hummingbirds:
Allen’s Hummingbird
This species overlaps with the Rufous in some parts of its range along the Pacific Coast. But the Allen’s has a greener back and whiter underparts than the Rufous. The Allen’s tail feathers also have rounded tips while the Rufous has pointed tips. The Allen’s outer tail feathers are rufous in color compared to the Rufous’s black central tail feathers.
Anna’s Hummingbird
The female Anna’s is darker and larger than the Rufous with a darker rose-pink throat patch. It lacks the orange spotting of the Rufous throat. The Anna’s also has more white on the tail that extends to the outer 3-4 feathers compared to just the tips on a Rufous.
Costa’s Hummingbird
The female Costa’s looks very similar to a female Rufous. But the Costa’s has a straighter, all-black bill compared to the downcurved bill of a Rufous. The Costa’s also has more violet-rose or purplish iridescence on the throat versus orange hues on the Rufous.
Behaviors and flight pattern
In addition to physical appearance, behavior can be a helpful identifier for female Rufous Hummingbirds.
- Aggressive and territorial – will chase away other hummingbirds from feeders and flowers
- Fast, erratic flight patterns with rapid wingbeats
- High-pitched twitter calls
- Frequently pumps tail up and down when perched
The small size, fast flight, and feisty behavior help distinguish the female Rufous from larger hummer species. Get to know the particular flight style of the Rufous compared to the patterns of Anna’s and Allen’s in your area.
When and where do you spot them?
Here are some tips on the habitat and range of female Rufous Hummingbirds:
- Breed predominantly in the Pacific Northwest and Canada
- Migrate south along the West Coast in winter and early spring
- Favor mountain meadows, pine forests, and areas with flowering plants
- Attracted to tubular red flowers like Indian paintbrush and columbine
- Drawn to nectar feeders with red bases or flowers
Familiarity with their breeding and migrating ranges will help you know when to be on the lookout. Provide habitat features they prefer like a mix of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. Place red feeders in your garden to spot them in spring and summer.
| Season | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Summer breeding (May to August) | Pacific Northwest through British Columbia and Alaska |
| Fall migration (August to November) | Moving south down the West Coast |
| Wintering (November to March) | Southwest U.S. and coastal Mexico |
| Spring migration (March to May) | Returning north up the West Coast |
Spotting tips and tricks
Follow these tips to up your chances of identifying female Rufous Hummingbirds:
- Watch for small, fast-moving hummers with a buzzing wingbeat
- Listen for high-pitched chipping calls
- Look for the buffy upperparts and green flank stripes
- Check for orange spotting or iridescence on the throat
- Pay attention to tail color and tail pumping behaviors
- Note aggression around feeders and flowers
- Provide red nectar feeders and tubular flowers
Patience and close observation will help zero in on the field marks and behaviors that set the female Rufous Hummingbird apart from other species.
Conclusion
Identifying female Rufous Hummingbirds takes a keen eye and knowledge of subtle plumage differences from similar species. Look for the small size, downcurved bill, orange-speckled throat, bronze upperparts, pump tail-bobbing motions, and aggressive territorial behavior. Habitat clues, timing of migration and breeding, and favored flower types can also aid identification. With practice observing female hummingbirds, you’ll soon master picking out the Rufous species from its doppelgangers. So hone your observation skills and enjoy watching these feisty females in action on their breeding and wintering grounds!
