Species BirdsRufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

CommonBird
Illustration of Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north than any other hummingbird, nesting in Alaska and migrating southward through the Rocky Mountains — a round trip of up to 3,900 miles. Despite its tiny size, the male is notoriously aggressive, chasing much larger birds from flowers and feeders. The male's flaming orange-red body and gorget make it one of North America's most vivid small birds.

Habitat
Forest edges, mountain meadows, and shrubby areas
Diet
Nectar, tree sap, and tiny flying insects
How common
Common

Best time to see a Rufous Hummingbird

The best time to see a Rufous Hummingbird is April–August, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 12,992 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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