Favorite Southwest Hummingbirds

The Southwest is home to many amazing hummingbirds. Two that you're bound to see there include the rufous and Anna's hummingbirds. How do they compare to the hummingbirds in your region?

Anna's hummingbird

• Common Name: Anna's hummingbird.
• Scientific Name: Calypte anna.
• Length: 4 inches.
• Wingspan: 5-1/4 inches.
• Distinctive Markings: Adult males have iridescent red crown and throat. Females have red patch on throat and white markings over eyes.
• Voice: Call is a high sharp "stit."
• Habitat: Gardens and parks providing nectar-producing flowers and sugar-water feeders.
• Nesting: Made of plant down held together with spiderwebs. Females lay two white eggs, each the size of a small bean.
• Diet: Nectar, sugar water, spiders, small insects and tree sap.
• Backyard Favorite: Mix a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar to attract hummingbirds to your sugar-water feeders.

Photo: Katie Daniel

Rufous hummingbird

• Common Name: Rufous hummingbird.
• Scientific Name: Selasphorus rufus.
• Length: 3-3/4 inches.
• Wingspan: 4-1/2 inches.
• Distinctive Markings: Male is reddish brown on back, head and tail; scarlet gorget (throat). Female is metallic green above, with pale, rust-colored sides.
• Voice: Call note is "chewp chewp" and wings make a high buzz.
• Nesting: May nest in loose colonies, up to 10 nests in one area.
• Habitat: Most northern of all hummingbirds.
• Diet: Attracted to nectar and tree sap.
• Backyard Favorite: Likes red flowers; sugar water at feeders.