The most common hummingbird species with an orange throat is the Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). This medium-sized hummingbird breeds in western North America and migrates as far south as Mexico for the winter. The adult male Rufous Hummingbird has a bright orange throat and belly, green back, white breast, and rusty colored tail.
Identification
The Rufous Hummingbird can be identified by the following key characteristics:
- Adult males have an iridescent orange-red throat and belly
- Females and juveniles have a pale orange wash on the throat and belly
- Green back
- Rusty colored tail
- White breast
- Curved black bill
- Length: 2.8-3.5 in (7-9 cm)
- Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm)
The orange plumage on the throat and belly of the male Rufous Hummingbird appears black unless struck by direct sunlight. In the right light, it glows a vivid iridescent orange-red. Females and juvenile Rufous Hummingbirds have a pale orange wash on the throat and belly rather than the brighter color of adult males.
Similar Species
The Rufous Hummingbird has some similar looking species that also have orange on the throat. Compared to these, the Rufous Hummingbird is smaller and has a darker orange throat in males and a paler orange wash on females and juveniles.
- Allen’s Hummingbird – Larger with a brighter orange throat and green on the back of the head
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Larger with a red throat speckled with black
- Calliope Hummingbird – Much smaller with a streaked orange and purple throat
Geographic Range
Rufous Hummingbirds breed across western North America from Alaska south to California and east to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Their breeding range is mapped below:
During migration and winter, Rufous Hummingbirds occur along the Pacific Coast and throughout Mexico. Some vagrants may reach as far east as the Gulf Coast. They are one of the most widespread North American hummingbird species.
Habitat
Rufous Hummingbirds use a variety of wooded habitats during breeding, migration, and wintering. These include:
- Open forests
- Forest edges
- Meadows
- Parks
- Gardens
They often seek out areas with flower gardens and backyard feeders while migrating through urban and suburban neighborhoods.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds have a diet dominated by sugary nectar, tree sap, and small insects such as gnats, fruit flies, spiders, and aphids. Some details about their diet include:
- Nectar – From flowers of columbine, lilies, paintbrush, penstemon, sage, snapdragons, and others.
- Tree sap – Supplements diet, obtained by piercing tree bark with bill.
- Insects – Provides protein, caught in flight or picked off plants.
- Sugar water – Heavily consumed at feeders, especially while migrating.
- Pollen – Licked off flowers while feeding on nectar.
Rufous Hummingbirds feed every 10-15 minutes while active during the day. Their high metabolism requires frequent energy intake from nectar and sugar sources.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Rufous Hummingbirds exhibit some interesting behaviors related to breeding, feeding, migration, and social interactions including:
- Aggressive defense – Males vigorously defend nectar feeders and flower patches from intruders.
- Aerial displays – Males perform dramatic aerial displays by climbing up to 130 ft and then diving at high speeds while making a sharp buzzing or “chipping” sound with their wings.
- Migration – One of the longest migrations of any North American hummingbird. They fly up to 3,900 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds.
- Torpor – To conserve energy, they can enter a short-term hibernation state called torpor throughout the night and at times when food is scarce.
- Nesting – The female builds a nest out of soft plant down, spider webs, and lichen on the branches of conifers, oak, maple, and other trees.
- Clutch size – The female lays 1-3 tiny white eggs and incubates them for 15-16 days.
- Brooding – After hatching, the female feeds the chicks for about 3 weeks before they fledge (start flying).
Rufous Hummingbirds live an average of 3-5 years but the oldest recorded individual was at least 8 years old. Their high-energy lifestyle contributes to burnout and mortality.
Conservation Status
Rufous Hummingbirds remain a common species with a large range. However, some important conservation notes include:
- Population declined an estimated 59% between 1966 and 2014, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.
- Development, logging, and agricultural operations reduce and fragment their preferred breeding habitats.
- Climate change threatens the timing of flowering plants and insect availability for migration and breeding.
- Predation by birds and small mammals also contributes to mortality.
While still abundant, maintaining habitat corridors and food sources will be important for Rufous Hummingbird conservation in the future.
Fun Facts
Below are some interesting and fun facts about the Rufous Hummingbird:
- They are one of the most aggressive backyard hummingbirds and will chase away other species from feeders and flowers.
- Their wingbeat is an incredible 53 beats per second!
- Male Rufous Hummingbirds make a distinctive buzzing or “chipping” sound with their wings during dive displays.
- They build one of the smallest bird nests, only about 1 inch across.
- Rufous Hummingbirds have one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird relative to their body size.
- They can fly up to 35 mph.
- Common names include Rufous Hummingbird, Red Hummingbird, and the scientific name Selasphorus means “fire bearer” in Greek.
Conclusion
With its bright orange-red gorget (throat), the Rufous Hummingbird is one of the most brightly colored and distinctive hummingbird species in North America. This feisty and energetic bird breeds across the northwestern part of the continent before migrating astonishing distances to winter in Mexico and along the Gulf Coast. Maintaining habitat and food sources will be key in continuing to conserve Rufous Hummingbird populations into the future.
