Rufous Hummingbird

This is one of the more common hummingbirds in several Western states. In fact this is the only hummingbird that nests as far north as southern Alaska and British Columbia.

 

I have spent time with this species several times, and whether juvenile or adult, female or male this bird is always aggressive with other hummingbirds and even other birds that are much larger. In fact, the only time I have ever seen a hummingbird nest was when I noticed a female Rufous scare away a nuthatch, which I found compelling. Steel nerve is always inspiring. But as soon as the nuthatch flew away, the hummer perched upon her nest. Tiny, and would otherwise have been entirely invisible to me.

 

I found this bird in Colorado after a fellow bird photographer invited me to his house one morning to photograph many species.

 

Oddly, this particular bird was the least aggressive Rufous HB I have ever witnessed.

Done