Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is in the Hummingbirds family (Trochilidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 13,565 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.
When to photograph Rufous Hummingbird: observations by month (U.S.)
About Rufous Hummingbird
The rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird, about 8 cm (3.1 in) long with a long, straight and slender bill. These birds are known for their extraordinary flight skills, flying 2,000 mi (3,200 km) during their migratory transits. It is one of seven species in the genus Selasphorus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Rufous Hummingbird by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,320 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Washington | 2,079 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Oregon | 1,858 | April | Mar–Aug |
| Texas | 1,719 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Arizona | 1,234 | August | Jul–Sep |
| New Mexico | 985 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Colorado | 877 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Utah | 360 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Louisiana | 298 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Alaska | 268 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Montana | 235 | July | May–Aug |
| Idaho | 223 | August | May–Aug |
| Wyoming | 139 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Florida | 134 | December | Oct–Feb |
| Nevada | 100 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Ohio | 72 | November | Oct–Dec |
| Nebraska | 59 | August | Jul–Aug |
| New York | 58 | February | Feb–Mar |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Maryland | 55 | November | Oct–Jan |
| North Carolina | 36 | December | Nov–Feb |
| Massachusetts | 35 | December | Oct–Dec |
| Alabama | 33 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Virginia | 33 | December | Oct–Jan |
| Georgia | 32 | January | Nov–Apr |
| Mississippi | 24 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Oklahoma | 23 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Illinois | 22 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Michigan | 22 | November | Oct–Nov |
| Wisconsin | 22 | October | Oct–Nov |
| New Jersey | 20 | November | Oct–Jan |
| Minnesota | 17 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Connecticut | 15 | November | Nov–Dec |
| Tennessee | 15 | September | Aug–Nov |
| South Carolina | 13 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Indiana | 9 | September | Sep–Dec |
| Missouri | 9 | November | Nov–Nov |
| South Dakota | 9 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Kansas | 7 | August | Jul–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 7 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Vermont | 5 | October | Oct–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Hummingbirds)
Anna's Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Rufous Hummingbird?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from March to September.
Where is Rufous Hummingbird most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.