ExploreBirds

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

The Rufous Hummingbird is a tiny bird with bright orange feathers. They are known for their amazing flying skills, zipping around and hovering in mid-air to sip nectar from flowers.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Rufous Hummingbird is a small, energetic bird known for its brilliant rusty-orange plumage, especially on males, covering their back, flanks, and tail. Males also flash an iridescent fiery-red throat (gorget). Females are greener above with rusty flanks and a few iridescent throat spots.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderApodiformesFamilyTrochilidaeGenusSelasphorus
Rufous Hummingbird
feathered trait badgeaerial trait badgecolorful trait badgeforest trait badge
Rufous Hummingbird

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its tiny heart beats over 1,200 times per minute!

Males perform amazing 'J-shaped' aerial dives to impress females.

They can enter torpor, a mini-hibernation, to save energy.

This hummingbird is one of the smallest long-distance migrants.

Special abilities

Ability

Super Hover Power

Rufous Hummingbird can hover perfectly still because of special wing joints that help them drink nectar mid-air.

Ability

Long-Distance Navigator

Rufous Hummingbird has an amazing internal compass that helps them migrate thousands of kilometers each year.

Ability

Fast-Fuel Metabolism

Rufous Hummingbird has an incredibly high metabolism that helps them digest nectar quickly for constant energy.

Measurements & details

Length
7-9 cm
Wingspan
10-12 cm
Weight
0.002-0.005 kg
Lifespan
3-8 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
1-3
Incubation
12-17 days
Migration Distance
4800 km

Diet & Feeding

These tiny birds fuel their high energy with sugary flower nectar and tiny protein-rich insects.

Primary Foods

  • Flower nectar
  • Small flies
  • Gnats
  • Spiders
  • Aphids

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Rufous Hummer

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching hummingbirds from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Rufous Hummingbird?

7-9 cm

What is Rufous Hummingbird's wingspan?

10-12 cm

How much does Rufous Hummingbird weigh?

0.002-0.005 kg

How long does Rufous Hummingbird live?

3-8 years

How fast can Rufous Hummingbird move?

50 km/h

What does Rufous Hummingbird eat?

These tiny birds fuel their high energy with sugary flower nectar and tiny protein-rich insects.

Where is Rufous Hummingbird usually found?

Forests

How does Rufous Hummingbird hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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