General Description: Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are tiny birds with long bills that hover in front of flowers and feed on nectar. Males are red overall and have a large iridescent gorget (throat feathers) that is brilliant red when the sun hits it right. The top of the head is green, and the upper breast is white. Females are more greenish, but have streaks of red on the throat and red on the sides. Both genders have lots of red in the tail.

Taxonomy: Apodiformes, Trochilidae, Trochilinae.

Favored Habitat: Mountain habitats with flowers, but yards with feeders are visited during migration.

Where to Find: Around Las Vegas, Rufous Hummingbirds are most likely to be seen at higher elevations on Mt. Charleston and in yards during migration.

Comments: This species summers in Oregon and Idaho northwards, and winters in Central and South America.