Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus Rufus

Day 195: Selasphorus rufus (Rufous Hummingbird) is a tiny little thing, smaller than Anna's Hummingbird but larger than the mountain-dwelling and somewhat uncommon Calliope hummer. The name derives from the male's rusty-red coloration, although the female (shown here) is largely green. The male has a red throat.

Rufous' vocabulary consists of a variety of "tzzzips," "bzzzzs" and "vrrrrrrrits," and 90% of those vocalizations are reputed to be swear-words by hummer fanatics. Hummers are very territorial and often wage "curse wars" over feeders and flowers.

This year, I seem to have an abundance of hummers, although to date I have only spotted one male, always from inside the house but on several occasions. He is as cagy as the Ravens, knowing exactly when I pick up the camera and start for the back door. By the time I've slid the door open, he's having lunch in the next county.