Rufous hummingbird

The rufous hummingbird is a small migratory hummingbird of western North America, recognized by reddish-brown plumage and a migration that can span thousands of miles.

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Rufous hummingbird migration: The seasonal movement of rufous hummingbirds between breeding grounds in western North America and wintering areas in Mexico. This route gives the species its reputation for exceptionally long migration.
Hummingbird: A family of small New World birds whose rapid wingbeats enable sustained hovering and agile flight. The rufous hummingbird is one member of this distinctive bird family.
Alaska: A U.S. state in northwestern North America, extending from the Pacific coast to the Arctic. Rufous hummingbirds reach Alaska among the northernmost breeding areas used by any hummingbird.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches by natural processes or human activity. Fragmentation can reduce connected feeding and nesting habitat across the species’ range.
Hummingbird torpor: A temporary, regulated reduction in body temperature and metabolism that conserves energy in hummingbirds. Rufous hummingbirds can use torpor to endure cold nights and limited food.
Sexual dimorphism: A difference in appearance between males and females of the same animal species. Male and female rufous hummingbirds differ strongly in plumage coloration.
Mexico: A country in southern North America with varied climates and habitats from deserts to tropical forests. Many rufous hummingbirds spend winter in Mexico.
Climate change and birds: The effects of long-term climatic shifts on bird distributions, timing, survival, and reproduction. Changing temperatures and flowering seasons can alter the timing of resources along migration routes.
Hummingbird pollination: The transfer of pollen between flowers by hummingbirds as they feed on nectar. Nectar feeding connects the species’ energy needs with flowering plants.
Iridescence: An optical effect in which color changes with viewing angle because of light interacting with a surface’s structure. Some rufous hummingbird feathers show angle-dependent colors rather than pigment alone.