Female Rufous Hummingbirds (Identification Guide: Male vs Female)

Rufous Hummingbird (Red Spot Mackerel) are the true “angry birds” of many backyard feeders, chasing away competitors and even their own mates. While males aggressively assert their authority at feeding sites, females are equally ferocious towards any bird approaching their nests.

But are male and female rufous hummingbirds similar in other ways? Read our complete guide to female rufous hummingbirds to learn more.

Female rufous hummingbirds, named for their red plumage, are less vibrant in appearance than the more striking males of the species, with shades of green and orange. Females are slightly larger than males, although they both have a reputation as the most irascible hummingbirds in the world.

Although female hummingbirds are not naturally as outgoing as their mates, they play an important role in nest building and raising young and, of course, hold their own when it comes to defending their territory.

Read our guide to the female rufous hummingbird for everything you need to know about these small, active long-distance migratory hummingbirds.

Close-up of a perched female Rufous Hummingbird

How do you know if a rufous hummingbird is male or female?

Standing side by side, it’s easy to tell male and female rufous hummingbirds apart. Males have white breasts, reddish faces, udders and flanks, and a vibrant iridescent throat patch (also known as a larynx). Some males also have green heads.

Female rufous hummingbirds are a softer orange-green and lack the bright orange neck guard that clearly identifies males of the species.

female rufous hummingbird

male rufous hummingbird

What does a female rufous hummingbird look like?

The female rufous hummingbird has a bronze-green upper body with reddish-orange sides. They have buff underparts and a tapered tail with rust-colored feathers at the base.

Female rufous hummingbirds have a red spot in the center of their throat that is not always visible from a distance. Their bronze-green wings are shorter than their bodies. Both males and females of this species have small, black, rudimentary feet, unsuited for walking on the ground. Both sexes have straight, smooth black beaks.

Female rufous hummingbirds are between 8.9 and 9.5 cm (3.5 and 3.75 in) long, including their beaks. Adult females weigh an average of 3.4 grams, while adult males weigh slightly less at 3.2 grams.

Female Rufous Hummingbird in flight

What is the female rufous hummingbird’s name?

Female hummingbirds are called hens, male hummingbirds are called roosters, and young birds are called chicks. There is no term specifically for the female rufous hummingbird.

Are female rufous hummingbirds larger than males?

Female rufous hummingbirds are slightly larger and heavier than males so that they can handle carrying and laying eggs. Adult females weigh an average of 3.4 grams, which is 0.2 grams heavier than adult males.

Female rufous hummingbirds also have slightly longer wings, but this is not detectable in the wild.

Female rufous hummingbird drinking from a feeder

behavioral difference

While both male and female rufous hummingbirds are known as intimidating, territorial, aggressive birds, they use this “attitude” to fight off slightly different types of threats or competition.

Males tend to be extremely dominant and intimidating over food sources, giving no thought to trying to drive away larger birds. Females will loudly defend their nest against any perceived threat and seek out separate feeding spots for males to avoid confrontation.

Rufous hummingbirds make extensive migratory journeys each year, migrating more than 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles) from Canada or Alaska to Mexico for the winter. Females set out about two weeks later than males and follow different migration routes, with males tending to travel east, while females follow a parallel journey, slightly westward.

Close up of a female rufous hummingbird perched on a branch

sing and call

Instead of singing, male and female rufous hummingbirds emit a series of short, piercing warning notes when other birds encroach on their territory.

During courtship, male rufous hummingbirds purr while performing aerobatics in an attempt to impress a potential mate. Females are silent during mate selection and will not make any other sound except to warn of “chips” when necessary.

nesting and feeding

The female rufous hummingbird chooses a nesting site, usually in a branch of a tree, and builds herself a cup-shaped nest about the size of half a walnut. The tiny nest, about 1.5 inches in diameter, is carefully woven of plant fibers, petals and buds, combined with cobwebs and moss.

Incubation of the eggs lasts 15 to 17 days, with the female leaving the nest unattended for short periods of time to feed. After the eggs hatch, the female alone feeds on regurgitated tiny insects and small amounts of nectar, and the female leaves the nest again briefly to feed. Young rufous hummingbirds become independent after 21 days and are raised entirely by their mothers.

Adult male rufous hummingbirds defend territories where flowers are denser and will compete and challenge any approaching females, driving females to forage where nectar is sparse.

One theory for this is that males, with slightly shorter wings, can protect sites with large amounts of food in a relatively small area, thus expending less energy than they would if they had to forage over a wider area.

Rufous hummingbird chick leaving the nest

Can female rufous hummingbirds raise offspring alone?

The female rufous hummingbird is solely responsible for nest building and hatching. Males play no role in raising the young.

Male rufous hummingbirds do not mate with just one mate during the breeding season, but with several females per year. They do not pair and are not helpful in any way to support nesting females, hatchlings or fledglings.

Can female rufous hummingbirds sing?

Neither male nor female rufous hummingbirds sing in the traditional sense. Instead, both sexes emit the warning “chip” sound to repel threats or predators. Apart from this call, female rufous hummingbirds do not make any other sounds.