Small hummingbird with a nearly straight bill, a tail that tapers to a point when folded, and fairly short wings that don’t reach the end of the tail when the bird is perched. Males are bright orange on the back and belly, with a vivid iridescent-red throat.
Females/immatures are greenish above with rusty-washed flanks, rusty patches on their green tail, and often a spot of orange on the throat.
Immature males have rusty washed sides and a spot of orange coming in on their throat.
The majority of adult males have a rusty back and tail. The outer tail feathers are broad and the fourth tail feather from the outside has a notched tip.
Some adult males have green on their backs similar to Allen's Hummingbirds. Separating these green-backed individuals in the field requires careful inspection of the shape of the spread outer tail feathers.
Broad outer tail feathers help to differentiate female/immature Rufous Humminbird from very similar Allen's Hummingbird.
Females/immatures are greenish above with rusty-washed flanks, rusty patches on their green tail, and often a spot of orange on the throat.
Aggressive hummingbird that tirelessly chases other hummingbirds away from feeders.
Immature males often look messy as their new feathers come in, showing features of both immature and adult plumages.
Click on an image to compare
A fairly small hummingbird with a slender, nearly straight bill, a tail that tapers to a point when folded, and fairly short wings that don’t reach the end of the tail when the bird is perched.
About the same size as a Ruby-throated Hummingbird
sparrow-sized or smallerThe Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.
