Hummingbirds

Known for its long distance migratory patterns, Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are common spring visitors along the entire West Coast of North America, including Alaska.

While some Rufous have been reported wintering in the Southeastern half of the United States, most migrate south to Mexico during the winter.

Both males and females are identified by the presences of rufous feathers along the back and side of the body. The picture of the female in the picture also shows some green spotting on the back.

Males also have rufous throat feathers.

The Rufous is not shy in letting you know when you enter their territory. They have a habit of flying by and buzzing your head as a way to try to chase you away.

The Broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), the other Selasphorus species, inhabits desert Southwest and Rocky Mountain terrain during the breeding season.

Compared to other hummingbirds, their broader tails serve as a field identification mark.

Males are characterized by a red gorget (throat feathers) and bright green feathers on the back. The less colorful females also have green back feathers, along with small spots on the throat and a few rufous feathers on the side of the body.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds prefer life in forested alpine environments. A warming trend in the Rocky Mountain region suggests that its range could extend as far north as southern Canada.

They tend to migrate early in the spring, returning to Mexico in early fall.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) are very hardy neotropical migrants.

Their summer breeding ranges extends from the Gulf Coast of Texas, west through California, and north through the Rocky Mountains, up through eastern Washington state.

Males, like the one in the picture, have distinct black chins contrasted with an off white collar. In the light, the bottom of the chin shines purple.

Throat feathers on the female tend to look cream colored or off white. Often small spots are visible. Both males and females have green feathers on their backs.

Broad-billed Hummingbirds (Cynanthus latirostris) spend their lives flying between Mexico and Southwestern areas of the United States.

The majority of the United States' breeding populations restrict their range to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Males, like the one in picture four, can easily be identified by their colorful, iridescent blue feathers on the body, along with an orange-black bill.

Red at the bottom of the bill provides a good field identification mark for the female.

© 2005-2011 Patricia A. Michaels.