Rufous Hummingbird or Broad-Tailed Hummingbird?
Here's how to tell the difference
Rufous Hummingbird
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
General appearance
The rufous hummingbird measures about the length of 3 1/2 inches or 9 cm, similar to a sparrow. It boasts an array of colors: black, green, orange, red, and white. Its wing and tail shapes are varied, being narrow, rounded, and short, with multiple points, notches, rounded edges, and square tips.
Male vs female
The adult male is distinguished by a bright coppery rufous color above with a dark throat that glistens red in favorable light. In contrast, females and young sport a green back, a spotted throat with an orange-buff wash on their sides and at the tail's base, presenting a more variegated look.
Juvenile
Juvenile rufous hummingbirds share similar physical attributes with the females, with a green back, a spotted throat, and an orange-buff wash on the sides and tail base. It is likely these colors help them blend into their surroundings for protection, since their eye-catching adult coloration is not yet developed.
Size
3.5 - 3.9 in/0.1 - 0.2 oz
There's more to learn about Rufous Hummingbird
View full detailsBroad-Tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
General appearance
The broad-tailed hummingbird measures 4-4 1/2 inches (10-11 cm) in length. It displays a unique coloration pattern with a green back, the sides, and distinct pearlescent hues. The tail is multi-pointed, notched, rounded, and square-tipped, embodying a rusty orange color. Their wings are narrow, rounded, and short, akin to that of a sparrow.
Male vs female
Males are identifiable with a rose-colored throat, contributing to their vibrant display. In contrast, females bear a green coat above with buff tones on the sides. They are distinguishable from the female Rufous Hummingbird by their larger tail. Seasonal variations in appearance may occur, particularly in males.
Juvenile
Juvenile broad-tailed hummingbirds retain a semblance to young male Anna's hummingbirds found in the western regions. Identification markers for juveniles are not specifically mentioned, but they are likely to possess less vibrant, more uniform coloration than adults, following the general pattern in avian species.
Size
3.3 - 3.8 in/0.1 oz
There's more to learn about Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
View full detailsHow to tell the Rufous Hummingbird from the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird
Visual differences
The Rufous Hummingbird is about 3.5 to 4 inches long, while the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird measures 4 to 4.5 inches. Rufous males are coppery with iridescent red throats; females have green backs and buff sides. Broad-Tailed males feature a rose-colored throat with green and rusty orange markings, while females are green with buff sides and possess larger tails than Rufous females. Additionally, Rufous has multi-pointed tails, whereas Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds' tails are rounded and square-tipped.
Key differences and behavior
The Rufous and Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds exhibit distinct behaviors and habitat preferences that aid in field identification. Rufous Hummingbirds are highly aggressive and migrate over 2,000 miles, while Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds communicate through unique wing beats, especially during courtship, audible from great distances. Rufous Hummingbirds inhabit forest edges and lowlands in migration, favoring coniferous areas for nesting, while Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds prefer higher elevations in open forests near streams. Both species consume nectar and insects, with Rufous strategically remembering feeders during migrations. In mating, Rufous males display U-shaped dives, while Broad-Tailed males perform aerial loops. Females of both species construct nests with plant materials and are solely responsible for chick care.
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