The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird species found in western North America. The males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females during the breeding season.
Quick Facts About the Rufous Hummingbird
Here are some key facts about the rufous hummingbird:
- Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus
- Average length: 2.8-3.5 in (7-9 cm)
- Wingspan: 4.3-4.7 in (11-12 cm)
- Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz (2-6 g)
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Habitat: Meadows, mountain areas, forest openings
- Range: Western North America from Alaska to California
- Diet: Nectar, insects, tree sap
- Distinctive features: Rufous-colored plumage on males, greenish on females
Description of the Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird is one of the smallest hummingbird species in North America. They have compact bodies and short, straight bills that are perfect for reaching nectar inside flowers.
The males are brightly colored with iridescent reddish-orange plumage on their backs and tails. When the sunlight hits them just right, they glow like a burning ember. The females are more subtly colored with greenish upperparts and white underparts. The females can be distinguished from the males by the lack of rufous coloration.
One of the most distinctive features of the rufous hummingbird is the whirring sound created by its rapid wing beats. Its wings can flap up to 70 times per second, enabling the bird to maneuver swiftly in any direction. The wings also produce a distinctive high-pitched trilling sound during flight.
Rufous hummingbirds have excellent memories and can remember the locations of reliable nectar sources. Their long, tubular tongues allow them to retrieve nectar from flowers. Insects and tree sap make up an essential part of their diet as a source of protein.
When Does the Courtship Display Occur?
During the spring breeding season, the male rufous hummingbird performs a spectacular aerial courtship display to impress prospective female mates. The breeding season occurs between March and July but the peak activity is in May and June.
Some key points about the timing of courtship displays:
- Displays begin when males return from their southern wintering grounds to the northern breeding territories
- Most displays occur between May and June during peak breeding season
- Displays coincide with the flowering of nectar plants that females prefer
- Males will continue displaying throughout the summer months to attract late-arriving females
- Frequency of displays depends on availability of food sources and number of competitors
By coordinating their displays with peak food availability, male hummingbirds can ensure females have adequate nutrition to produce eggs following mating.
Where Does the Display Take Place?
The courtship displays take place in open meadows and other open habitats preferred by the females. Some specific locations include:
- Fields of wildflowers
- Mountain meadows
- Openings in pine forests
- Backyards with nectar feeders or flowering plants
- Along rivers and streams where insects congregate
The key requirements are a habitat with abundant food sources and plenty of unobstructed airspace for the males to perform their aerial maneuvers. The displays occur in the same traditional sites each year, with the males arriving up to one month before the females.
What Does the Courtship Display Look Like?
The rufous hummingbird’s courtship display is an elaborate ritual designed to dazzle females. Here are the key elements:
- Aerial ascents: The male flies rapidly up to 130 feet in the air before diving sharply back towards the ground.
- Dives: At the peak of each ascent, the male dives down at high speeds, reaching up to 60 miles per hour.
- Pendulum motions: During the dive, the male may swing back and forth in wide pendulum-like arcs up to 3 feet wide.
- Rising whistles: Air forced through stiffened wing and tail feathers produces a loud chirping or whistling noise.
- Courting passes: The male makes repeated flying passes back and forth in front of the female.
- Wings held high: The male fully extends his wings, showing off the colorful iridescent plumage.
The male rufous hummingbird repeats this diving and whirling display multiple times, flying in loops and arcs to capture the female’s attention. The elaborate motions and sounds are all designed to demonstrate the male’s fitness.
Females observe the displays of multiple males before choosing a mate. The flashiest aerial artist wins the opportunity to mate with the female.
Why Do Rufous Hummingbirds Have This Courtship Ritual?
There are several key evolutionary reasons behind the rufous hummingbird’s intricate courtship display:
- Attract females: The visual and auditory components get the female’s attention and demonstrate the male’s suitability as a mate.
- Highlight strength: The athletic maneuvers showcase the male’s physical fitness, stamina, and health.
- Defend territory: The displays announce the male’s breeding territory and ward off competing males.
- Genetic fitness: Flashier displays may indicate better genes more appealing to females.
- Energetic costs: The high-exertion display shows the male has ample energy reserves for mating and parenting.
By selecting males that perform elaborate courtship displays, female rufous hummingbirds ensure their offspring inherit the high-quality genes necessary to survive and reproduce.
Unique Traits of the Rufous Hummingbird Display
While courtship displays are common across hummingbird species, the rufous hummingbird has evolved some unique traits including:
- Higher frequency of dives and pendulum motions compared to similar species
- Louder auditory components with specialized wing and tail feather adaptations
- Extended display duration lasting up to 8 hours daily over a period of months
- Higher degree of showmanship and aerial stunts to dazzle females
- Ability to learn new maneuvers each season to maintain an advantage
These specialized traits help ensure the rufous hummingbird can stand out from competing males and attract the best females.
How Does the Display Change Over the Season?
The male’s display changes and often intensifies as the breeding season progresses:
- Displays start out shorter in duration upon the male’s initial return
- More diving arcs are incorporated as the season heightens
- The pendulum swings become wider later in the season
- Males perform more whisper-song vocalizations at display peak
- Increased aggression towards competing males emerges closer to mating
These seasonal variations keep the displays compelling to female viewers. The rising intensity also demonstrates the male’s commitment to attracting a suitable mate.
Courtship Phase | Display Behaviors |
---|---|
Early Season | Shorter displays, fewer dives, narrow arc |
Mid-Season | Longer displays, more dives, wider arc |
Late Season | Aggressive displays, extended dives, very wide arc |
This type of behavioral escalation over the course of the breeding season is common in hummingbird courtship rituals and helps excite the female viewers.
Conclusion
The rufous hummingbird has a remarkably complex courtship display adapted to impress prospective female mates. The male performs an aerial dance of climbing ascents, daring dives, pendulum swings, and loud vocalizations to attract a suitable mate. The display requires tremendous fitness and occurs in open habitats with plentiful food sources where the females congregate.
This dazzling ritual highlights the rufous hummingbird’s evolution for precise courtship signaling. By performing ever more dramatic maneuvers as the breeding season progresses, male rufous hummingbirds ensure their genes will be passed on to the next generation. Their elaborate beauty ritual helps these tiny birds find the perfect mate.