Rufous Hummingbird

Although I have not seen this bird in the city I reside in (San Diego), I have seen it in parts of L.A. County, in particular the Cactus Garden at The Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, which is just a little bit past Pasadena.

I loved the orangey glow of their feathers.

These little birds come through Albuquerque late in the summer as they migrate south. They are small but feisty, and for the short time they around, 2 to 3 weeks, guard the feeders fiercely. They like to sit on bare branches, but never stay there for very long as they are extremely busy. Since we mostly have black chinned hummers here, it is a treat when the little Rufus go through the area. Of course, they love feeders, but also seem especially fond of the trumpet vine and honeysuckle. I look forward to them, and hate to see them go, because they seem to energize the yard. All hummingbirds are welcome in my yard!

Tiny little guy! Loves the tritoma (kniphofia uvaria) and honeysuckle, and will sit in the links of the chain-link fence. Migrates through in the summer.