Quick Answer
Yes, there are female Rufous Hummingbirds. The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird that breeds in western North America. Like most bird species, the Rufous Hummingbird has two sexes – male and female. The males and females have distinct plumage differences that can be used to tell them apart.
Overview of Rufous Hummingbirds
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the most widespread hummingbird species in North America. Some key facts about Rufous Hummingbirds:
- They are small, with males averaging 3.1 inches long and females averaging 3.5 inches long
- Their plumage is mostly green on the back and rusty reddish-brown on the sides, flank and tail
- Males have brightly iridescent throats that can appear orange-red
- Females have greenish throats with small dark spots
- They have slightly decurved bills that are perfect for drinking nectar from flowers
- They have rapid wingbeats and can hover in midair as they feed
- They migrate long distances, breeding in the north and wintering in the south
Rufous Hummingbirds breed throughout forested areas in western North America in the spring and summer. Their breeding habitat extends from Alaska to California. In the winter, they migrate to Mexico and the Gulf Coast. The Rufous Hummingbird has one of the longest migrations of any North American hummingbird.
Differences Between Male and Female Plumage
The males and females of Rufous Hummingbirds can be distinguished based on differences in their plumage. Here are the key differences:
Males
- Bright orange-red iridescent throat
- Green crown and back
- Rusty colored flanks
- Dark tail with rufous base
Females
- Green throat with small dark spots
- Green crown
- Pale rusty flanks
- Rufous tail bands
The males have noticeably brighter and more colorful plumage overall. Their fiery throats are iridescent in sunlight. Females have more subtle plumage, lacking the bright throat coloring. Their throat has fine dark speckles. Females also tend to be slightly larger than males, but the plumage differences are the most reliable way to distinguish the sexes.
Behavioral and Ecological Differences
In addition to differences in appearance, male and female Rufous Hummingbirds exhibit some different behaviors and fill different ecological roles, especially during breeding.
Male Behavior
- Aggressive – defend feeding territories
- Courtship displays for females
- Mate guarding
- No involvement in nesting or raising young
Males are highly territorial and aggressive. They defend flower and feeding territories to attract females and advertise with courtship displays. Their bright colors likely evolved to attract mates and advertise territory ownership. Males do not participate at all in choosing nest sites, building nests, incubating eggs or raising young.
Female Behavior
- Nest site selection
- Gather nest materials
- Nest building
- Incubation and raising young
- Solitary nesting
Females alone choose nest sites, gather materials and build a small cup-shaped nest to lay eggs in. The female incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks when they hatch. She raises them on her own without any male assistance. Her drabber plumage likely provides camouflage while nesting.
Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying and confirming female Rufous Hummingbirds:
- Look for speckled green throats lacking bright color
- Note the rufous base and banding on the tail
- Watch for solitary birds gathering nest materials like spider webs and lichens
- Listen for calls and chipping notes
- Distinguish from similar Ruby-throated Hummingbird females by range
Females won’t display the flashy plumage of males, but they can be identified by their speckled throats, rufous tail markings, nesting behaviors and vocalizations. If an observed hummingbird doesn’t have an iridescent red throat, it’s almost certainly a female Rufous.
Comparison of Male and Female Rufous Hummingbirds
Trait | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
Size | 3.1 inches | 3.5 inches |
Throat color | Bright orange-red | Green with dark spots |
Crown | Green | Green |
Flanks | Rusty orange | Pale rusty |
Tail | Rufous base, dark center | Rufous bands |
Behavior | Aggressive, territorial | Nesting and maternal |
Ecological role | Mate competition | Reproduction and raising young |
This table summarizes the key physical and behavioral differences between male and female Rufous Hummingbirds. The differences in plumage, size and breeding behaviors help distinguish the sexes and reveal the specialized roles each sex fills.
Population and Conservation Status
Rufous Hummingbirds are still a common species with large overall population numbers. However, some concerning declines have been observed:
- Estimated global breeding population of 3.5 million birds
- Classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
- Declined by an estimated 59% between 1970 and 2014
- Faces habitat loss and climate change threats
The reasons for Rufous Hummingbird declines are not entirely clear yet. Habitat loss on their breeding grounds, climate change effects and pesticide exposure may all play a role. Providing flowering habitats and reducing pesticide usage could benefit Rufous Hummingbird populations. Monitoring and conserving remaining habitat will be important for the females that nest in the north.
Females Are Critical for Breeding Success
Since only female Rufous Hummingbirds attend nests, incubate eggs and care for young, their survival and breeding success is absolutely vital for sustaining populations. Each female that survives to reproduce successfully can lay 2-3 clutches of 2 tiny eggs per breeding season. Protecting and enabling breeding females is crucial for the species’ population health. Any factors that impact female survival and breeding rates will quickly ripple through the population. More research is needed to determine why female survival and breeding rates appear to be declining.
Conclusion
In conclusion, female Rufous Hummingbirds clearly exist and play an indispensable role in the species’ reproduction and population stability. Females can be identified by their plumage differences from males as well as their nesting and maternal behaviors. While Rufous Hummingbirds remain common, decreasing female reproductive success and survival could pose long-term conservation risks. Maintaining pristine breeding habitat, reducing pesticide use and addressing climate change are important steps to protect the future of these tiny, sparkling birds. With care and conservation, both male and female Rufous Hummingbirds will continue shining their iridescence over the forests of the north for generations to come.