Oklahoma's Summer Jewels

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Other Oklahoma Hummingbirds

Besides the ruby-throats, three other species of hummingbirds visit Oklahoma. Primarily they are seen late in fall migration, from October to December. Females and young of these species are difflcult to distinguish in the field and may easily be mistaken for ruby-throats.

Black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) are most common after ruby-throats and occur in the far western part of the state, although they will frequent feeders elsewhere in the state during fall migration. The adult male's gorges is black, bordered with an iridescent violet band.

Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are an occasional fall migrant throughout the state. The adult male's back and tail are cinnamon (rufous) colored, while the gorges is metallic copper. The female's back is greenish with pale rufous sides.

Broad-tailed hummingbirds (S. platycercus) are rare visitors to western Oklahoma. They are slightly larger than ruby-throats, and the adult male's wings produce a distinctive, shrill whistling. Otherwise, they are similar, although their ranges generally do not overlap.

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