Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus
Flight call description A short, abrupt "tchp" often doubled or repeated in a series.
Fig.1. Colorado July 27, 2001 (MO).
Bird in flight at feeder.
Examples
Diurnal calling sequences:
1. Colorado July 27, 2001 (MO). Several birds in flight at feeder. Red-breasted Nuthatch calling in the background.
2. Colorado July 27, 2001 (MO). Several birds in flight at feeder.
3. Colorado July 27, 2001 (MO). Several birds in flight at feeder. Mountain Chickadee and Steller's Jay calling in the background.
4. Colorado July 27, 2001 (MO). Perched bird. Mountain Chickadee calling in the background.
5. Colorado August 13, 2001 (Chris L. Wood). Vocalizations from caged bird temporarily captured for banding.
Similar species Higher, more abrupt, and less husky than Ruby-throated or Black-chinned Hummingbirds. See Broad-tailed and Calliope Hummingbirds.
Behavior Diurnal migrant. Nocturnal migration not documented. Gives flight call year-round. Birds in migration flight may be mostly silent.
Discussion Male calls average higher-pitched than female calls (Howell, 2002).