Talking Nature: An unlikely hummingbird in Minnesota

The Rufous Hummingbird is about 3 and a half inches long and with a wingspan of about 4 and a half inches. Photo by Ron Taube

When I saw on the Minnesota Ornithological Union’s website that there was a Rufous Hummingbird spotted down near Le Sueur, Minnesota I was immediately intrigued. The only hummingbird that I had ever seen in Minnesota was the Ruby Throated. I had noticed on the Ornithological Union’s checklist (under accidental species) five other species of hummingbirds which included the Rufous. Those only rarely passed through our state.

The Rufous Hummingbird is about 3 and a half inches long and with a wingspan of about 4 and a half inches. It’s Rufous colored face is what you might also call reddish brown. The throat is red orange and beneath that is a strip of white and the lower body is various shades of orange. On the back of some males’ heads are green spots and the females – which are also slightly larger – have more green on the back of the head and body.

  

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