Scientific name: Selasphorus rufus

Characteristics: Adult males have bright rufous (reddish-brown) upper parts with some green on the wings, a white breast and reddish-orange iridescent throat patch, called the gorget, which appears golden in certain light. Females have a green back, rufous sides, white breast and whitish throat spotted with green.

Breeding: Builds a small cup-shaped nest of plant material and spider silk that is decorated with lichens, shredded bark, leaves or moss. Female lays an average of two, jellybean-sized white eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. Males leave the females soon after egg laying.

Range: Highly migratory, rufous hummingbirds breed from Alaska to California and east into the Rocky Mountain states, and winter mainly in Mexico or along the Gulf Coast.

Habitat: Prefers forests, riparian and lowland foothills up to mountain meadows. Visits residential gardens, as well.

Food: Hovers and eats nectar from flowers and feeders, but also tree sap, insects and spiders.

Comments: This tiny hummingbird has the longest migration route of any North American hummingbird, from Mexico to Alaska. Weighing just 2-5 grams, these birds consume up to three times their body weight daily. When temperatures drop, these hummingbirds enter a state of torpor by lowering their heart and respiration rates to conserve energy. A group of hummingbirds may be called a “bouquet” or “shimmer.” Selaphorus means “flame bearing,” in reference to the brilliant feather color.

Current viewing: Hummingbird feeders in Central Oregon, mountain meadows and riparian areas.

— Damian Fagan is an East Cascades Audubon Society volunteer and COCC Community Learning instructor. He can be reached at damian.fagan@hotmail.com.

Sources: Oregon Department of Wildlife Resources and “The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds” by John Terres