Rufous Hummingbirds

We saw 12 species of hummingbirds on our trip to south east Arizona, but by far the most striking male of any of these species is the Rufous Hummingbird.  Both the male and female seem exceptionally aggressive at feeders, as if they already didn't stand out enough with their brightly colored feathers!  Rufous Hummingbirds breed very far to the north, as high as Alaska (the most northerly breeding hummingbird), and can now be seen in great numbers at feeders in the south west as they migrate south for the winter.  The male is bright orange all over with a very bright red  irredescent gorget (without sun, the gorget appears black), and can have a green back (like an Allen's Hummingbird). 

Note all over rufous/orange color, dark wings, white neck,

white spot behind eye, and red to black gorget. Also note "pointed" narrow tail feathers.

Note black/dark gorget when not in direct sun

Note bright red gorget with irridescent green to yellow in full sun

4 Rufous Hummingbird males and 1 female at feeder at George Walker House in Paradise, AZ

(this week marks the start of an influx of Rufous Hummingbirds from the north!!!)

The female has a bright white breast leading into rufous flanks, green back, and red to orange central patch on the throat (unlike the very similar female Broad-tailed Hummingbird that has regular spots on the throat). Both the male and female have unmistakable red and black tail feathers that appear very pointed and narrow, and the female has white-tips on the outer rectrices (very similar to female Broad-tailed Hummingbird, but lacking the green of the inner tail feathers).

Rufous Hummingbird - female

Note central orange/pinkish throat spots/patch, white breast and rufous flanks

CAUTION! Female Broad-tailed Hummingbirds appear very similar to female Rufous Hummingbirds!!!!! (See next two photos)

Broad-tailed Hummingbird - female

Note green on inner tail feathers and "lobed" versus "pointed" tips of tail feathers

Broad-tailed Hummingbird - female

Note regular "neat" spotting on throat versus central throat patch of female Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbirds are very similar to Allen's Hummingbirds, and can only be distinguished by feather measurements, close examination, or flight calls. 

Many Rufous Hummingbirds have been showing up in the fall and winter months in the east in the past few years.  These birds may be migrating from the west to the east over the winter, or may be coming from an unknown breeding population in the far north east.  Or, because awareness of this phenomena has been increasing, more sightings are being reported, and subsequently more Rufous Hummingbirds are being banded in the east. 

It is completely untrue that hummingbirds will not migrate if you keep your feeders out in the fall and winter.  Their instinct to migrate is very great.  In fact, your feeders will provide a much needed energy source for late migrants and rare visitors (such as the Anna's that visited eastern PA last year!) as they move south for the winter.  Be sure to keep the feeders clean and take them down overnight to avoid freezing temperatures.  You may just get a Rufous Hummingbird at your feeder (or some late Ruby-throated Hummingbirds), or who knows what else!

Check out these great maps that Robert Mortensen of BIRDING IS FUN! made on E-bird about migration patterns of Rufous Hummingbirds....not to be missed!