Rufous hummingbird predators12/31/2023 ![]() Rufous, along with other hummingbirds, also practice a bit of larceny by stealing insects already caught in spider webs. Various flies, wasps, bees and other small insects are consumed during high-speed encounters where birds splaying their bills open gulp down a meal as revealed in high-speed cinematography of captive individuals. Feeding does not only include sucrose-rich floral nectars, Rufous have a high protein diet that comes from small insects. ![]() Males of both species are more easily identified, but juvenile and female Rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds are virtually indistinguishable on the wing, especially during their migratory periods when their ranges overlap.Īlthough not the largest hummingbirds, Rufous are feisty, especially the males who chase and drive other hummers and large insects from their feeding territories. However, if you notice any completely rufous (or rusty) feathers on their backs, you are looking at a Rufous hummingbird. Sometimes the feathers on the back of Allen’s males have a greenish color. The sides of the face and flanks are often a rufous or cinnamon color, their chest is white, and there is a small white spot behind their black eye. The tops of their heads and backs are a bronze or bronze-green in metallic shades. Allen’s hummingbirds have elongated scarlet gorget (throat) feathers. Adult Rufous hummingbirds are often be confused with Allen’s hummingbirds ( Selasphorus sasin). In strong sunlight, male Rufous put on quite a show with throat feathers flashing, a reddish orange iridescence brighter than a neon sign. Rufous hummingbirds are a western species, rarely straying into the eastern United States. They are also one of the few North American hummingbirds to migrate long distances. ![]() Their wings are relatively short and do not reach the end of the tail when the birds are perched on a feeder or nearby branches. They have long slender nearly straight bills. These birds are amazing aerialists, darting in and out, and can be relentless attackers of other birds and insects at feeders and flowers. These amazing small but feisty birds (only 3 inches or 8cm long) weigh merely three or four grams for comparison, a United States penny weighs slightly about 2.5 grams). Many western and southwestern gardeners know the Rufous hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus) as a delightful often-unexpected visitor to colorful garden wildflowers or hummingbird feeders. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |