Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird: Medium hummingbird, bright rufous-brown overall with white breast and ear patch, red-orange throat, and green shoulders. Rounded tail is rufous with black edges. Some males show green on back and head. Feeds on insects and nectar. Direct and hovering flight with rapid wing beats.
● Song:
"zeee"
● Foraging & Feeding:
Rufous Hummingbird: Eats mostly nectar, but also sap from sapsucker wells, insects, and spiders. Attracted to honeysuckle, scarlet sage, horsemint, and black locust; also red, tubular flowers. Consumes up to 3 times its body weight daily.
● Breeding & nesting:
Rufous Hummingbird: Two white eggs are laid in a lichen-covered cup nest made of plant down and spider webs, attached to a horizontal branch. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.
● Similar species:
Rufous Hummingbird: Allen's Hummingbird has a green back and slightly decurved bill; females are very difficult to distinguish.
● Range & Habitat:
Rufous Hummingbird: Breeds from southeastern Alaska, British Columbia, southwestern Alberta, and western Montana south to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern California. Spends winters mainly in Mexico and occurs in small numbers along the Gulf Coast during migration and in winter. Preferred habitats include forests, riparian shrub, lowland stream bottoms, foothill brushlands, coasts, and high-mountain meadows.