Hummingbird

Rufous hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

A tiny, fiery-orange hummingbird that arrives from Mexico in early spring to breed along forest edges and in gardens and parks across Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Seasonality

Peaks in April, May. Spring and summer visitor from March to August; males leave first, from late June.

Behavior

Males arrive in March, around when red-flowering currant and salmonberry bloom.
Fiercely defends flowers and feeders, chasing off much larger birds.
Males perform steep, U-shaped display dives in spring.

Photography tips

Find a favored flower patch and focus on the perch the bird returns to between feeds.
The throat only flashes orange-red when the bird faces the light; keep the sun behind you.

Field ethics

Nests are tiny and well hidden; if a female keeps returning to one spot, move away.

Where to look

Tennant LakeWhatcom County · Peaks in April, May
Stimpson Family Nature ReserveWhatcom County · Peaks in April, May
Barrell Springs WetlandsSkagit County · Peaks in April, May