# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Rufous Hummer ![Rufous Hummingbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rufous_hummingbird_%2861556%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rufous_hummingbird_%2861556%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Apodiformes - **Family:** Trochilidae - **Genus:** Selasphorus ## 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 - **Super Hover Power:** Rufous Hummingbird can hover perfectly still because of special wing joints that help them drink nectar mid-air. - **Long-Distance Navigator:** Rufous Hummingbird has an amazing internal compass that helps them migrate thousands of kilometers each year. - **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 - **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 - **Pollinates:** [Western Columbine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-columbine) (*Aquilegia formosa*) — Feeds on nectar, helping to spread pollen. - **Depends on:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — Competes for nectar sources, but also shares floral resources. - **Depends on:** [Allen's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/allens-hummingbird) (*Selasphorus sasin*) — Often shares breeding grounds and overlaps with migration routes. - **Eaten by:** [Willow Flycatcher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/willow-flycatcher) (*Empidonax traillii*) — Eggs and nestlings can be prey for larger insectivores. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching hummingbirds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rufous Hummingbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Pike Place Market](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pike-place-market) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Polebridge Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/polebridge-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Bremner Historic Mining District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bremner-historic-mining-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Port Townsend Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/port-townsend-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [St. Elmo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-elmo) — Colorado, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Rufous Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rufous-hummingbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Rufous Hummingbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rufous-hummingbird)