The Rufous Hummingbird is a tiny but mighty pollinator whom we’ve grown to adore. It is the most common and widespread hummingbird species in Alaska, and can be found in a wide variety of habitats. That’s right: this tiny one hails from Alaska! 

The Rufous Hummingbird travels farther north than any other hummingbird, wintering in Mexico and the Southeastern US and migrating to breeding sites as distant as Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Although a relatively small hummingbird, it has an aggressive nature and frequently chases larger hummingbirds from nectar sources. It is an important pollinator in the cool, cloudy rainforests of southeast and south-central Alaska. Yes, Alaska has rainforests! 

Pollination by Rufous Hummingbirds supports development of wild berry crops such as blueberry, salmonberry and elderberry, providing locally important food resources to wildlife and humans. We are always in support of wild blueberries especially since we source organic wild blueberry juice for our Wild Blueberry honey water.

THE ULTIMATE TRAVELER

The Rufous Hummingbird makes one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird in the world: from Alaska to Mexico. They usually begin arriving in Southeastern Alaska by April, with males arriving earliest and beginning their migration south by July. Females are also present in April, but in smaller numbers and typically stay through July during incubation and rearing of young. They are only about 3 inches in length, yet are able to travel over 3,900 miles during migration!

As with other hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds typically move to higher elevations for the fall migration, following nectar-producing flowers during their journey. In the fall, Rufous head south and more interior along the Rockies, with an increasing number of individuals dispersing further east toward the Atlantic before heading to their wintering areas in Mexico and the Gulf Coast of the United States.

This photo captured by Daniel Roberts shows the beautiful deep orangey hues of the Rufous’ feathers. There are myriad ways to support this important pollinator. Besides planting the flowers Rufous love to visit during migration, consider connecting with The Western Hummingbird Partnership which is a developing network of partners collaborating to build an effective and sustainable hummingbird conservation program.