Rufous Hummingbird -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 3.75 inches | Wingspan: 4.75 inches | Seasonality: Rare visitor |
| ID Keys: Males bright rufous above, dark reddish throat. Females have green upperparts, a spotted throat, and a rufous wash on their sides. | ||
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
One of the most widespread breeders of the North American hummingbirds, they can be found in summer from southern Alaska down through the northwestern United States. Very aggressive, they often will dominate other hummingbirds, and will even chase away larger birds and small rodents away from their preferred feeding locations. Of all the western hummingbirds, the Rufous is the one most likely to wander far to the east during migration, and every year, a few are reported wintering in the southeastern United States.
Habitat: Breeds around forest edges and clearing, both near the coast and in the western mountains of the U.S. and Canada. They can be found in nearly any habitat during migration.
Diet: Feeds primarily on nectar. Also will feed on tiny insects, and will drink sap from holes created by sapsuckers.
Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota
Song: A musical chip and repeated buzzy chattering. To listen to this bird, click here for the "E-nature.com" site for the Rufous Hummingbird, and click on "listen to this species".
Migrations: Summers from the northwestern United States, through western Canada, and up to southern Alaska. Winters in southern Mexico.
Similar Species: Females similar to female Calliope Hummingbird
Feeders: Will attend hummingbird feeders for sugar water.
Status: Widespread and often
abundant in its normal range.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Rufous Hummingbird
2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Rufous Hummingbird
3) eNature.com: Rufous Hummingbird
Photo Information: September 7th, 2006 -- Red Rocks State Park near Sedona, Arizona -- Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Rufous Hummingbird photos.
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08