This small hummingbird, nearly identical to Rufous Hummingbird, is limited to the West Coast. Best identified by male’s display flight. Male: Rusty-orange, with a bronze-green crown and back. The gorget is coppery-red and elongated at the sides. The upper breast is white, while the belly and sides are rufous. The tail is rufous with black tips. The outer tail feathers are extremely narrow. The inner tail feathers are evenly pointed, not notched as on Rufous Hummingbird. In flight, the wings produce a high metallic trill. Female: Dull bronze-green above, with limited rufous on rump. Throat is whitish with dark spots and a concentration of orange-red spots in the center. The underparts are white with pale buffy-orange sides. Tail feathers are rufous at the base, then green and/or black. The three outer sets of tail feathers have white tips. Outermost tail feathers are very narrow, but not pin-like as on the male. Inner tail feathers are evenly pointed, not notched as on Rufous. Note that some male Rufous Hummingbirds have green backs.

Length: 10 (cm) Wingspan: 12 (cm)

Voice:

Call is a harsh chi-tick. Produces a long steady whine at the end of display dive, not stuttered as in Rufous Hummingbird.

Habitat:

Coastal scrub, riparian woods, mixed woodland.

Behavior:

Male's display flight begins with a series of lateral archs, followed by a steep climb and a power dive.

Feeding:

Feeds on floral nectar and small insects.