Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/rufous-tailed-hummingbird/ Species photography guide # Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Photography Holidays *Amazilia tzacatl* Explore our Rufous-tailed Hummingbird photography holidays in [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/), shaped around patient, repeatable field sessions with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/rufous-tailed-hummingbird/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/rufous-tailed-hummingbird/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/rufous-tailed-hummingbird/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/rufous-tailed-hummingbird/#nl-species-related) ![Rufous-tailed Hummingbird photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) ## At a glance Trips7 associated holidays Where[Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) Species profile ## About this species The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird found across Central America & northern South America, recognisable by its bright green plumage & distinctive rufous-coloured tail. The bill is straight & pinkish-red with a dark tip, making it easily identifiable in the field. It is a highly adaptable species, thriving in a range of habitats from forest edges to gardens & urban areas. **Habitat** The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird inhabits forest edges, gardens, plantations, secondary growth & humid lowland areas from sea level up to around 2500 metres. It is commonly found in tropical & subtropical regions across Central America, Colombia, Venezuela & Ecuador. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous-tailed_hummingbird) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Rufous-tailed Hummingbird with us in [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/). These departures are part of our [Central America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Early morning is the best time of day, when hummingbirds are most active & the light is soft & warm. The dry season - typically December to April depending on location - often provides clearer skies & more consistent light for photography. **Approach** Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the wings & feathers. Position yourself near flowering plants such as Heliconia or other tubular blooms where the bird regularly feeds, allowing for predictable & repeated photographic opportunities. A telephoto lens in the range of 300-500mm combined with a burst shooting mode will help capture the bird in dynamic flight poses. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Collared Aracari](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/collared-aracari/)[Keel-Billed Toucan](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/keel-billed-toucan/)[King Vulture](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/king-vulture/)[White-necked Jacobin](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-necked-jacobin/)[Basilisk Lizard](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/basilisk-lizard/)[Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-jeans-poison-dart-frog/)[Chestnut-headed Oropendola](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-headed-oropendola/)[Chestnut-mandibled Toucan](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-mandibled-toucan/)[Emerald Toucanet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/emerald-toucanet/)[Fiery-throated Hummingbird](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-throated-hummingbird/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Rufous-tailed Hummingbird The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Essential Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) #### Related holiday Essential Costa Rican Wildlife gives guests time in Costa Rica where Rufous-tailed Hummingbird can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) Route Destination Signature Destination Photographing Rufous-tailed Hummingbird One of the most abundant hummingbirds in Central America & a constant presence at NaturesLens feeding stations throughout Costa Rica. The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is not subtle: bright emerald upperparts, a prominent rufous tail that catches every angle of light, & the confident, inquisitive temperament of a species that has thrived alongside human-modified habitat. That approachability makes it the ideal starting subject for practising hummingbird technique before moving to the rarer cloud-forest endemics. Where NaturesLens Takes You NaturesLens photographs the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird at lowland & foothill locations across Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope & Pacific side, where it breeds year-round & visits feeders in large numbers. It is present on virtually every Costa Rica NaturesLens itinerary & is often the first hummingbird species that participants photograph confidently. Photography Technique & Gear For those new to hummingbird photography, the Rufous-tailed is an excellent starting subject: it hovers reliably in front of flowers, perches conspicuously between feeding bouts, & tolerates a close approach. Continuous servo autofocus & a shutter speed of 1/1600 s or faster is the baseline. A monopod reduces fatigue during extended feeder vigils, & early morning low-angle sun brings out the full richness of the emerald gorget. The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in Costa Rica. During our photography holidays, the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is often photographed alongside Collared Aracari, Keel-Billed Toucan, King Vulture, White-necked Jacobin, Basilisk Lizard, & Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Photography themes commonly associated with this species include Costa Rican photography, Costa Rican wildlife, the wildlife of Costa Rica, toucans, toucanets & aracari, various species of hummingbird, & amphibian macro photography. Single occupancy Group Size: 5-6 guests Experienced guidance 7 departures - [![Join Us For The Essential Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) Limited Places ### 21st - 28th Nov 2026 - Essential Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Join us in Costa Rica for a wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, during November 2026, focused on core Costa Rica species across key rainforest habitats. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £4249 Now: £3499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Essential Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) - [![Join Us For The Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-red-eyed-tree-frog-sat-on-a-leaf-in-the-jungle-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife/) Full ### 1st - 17th Dec 2026 - Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Travel to Costa Rica with us for a wildlife photography tour, which boasts an itinerary that allows extended time photographing Costa Rica's rainforest icons. **16 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **David Miles** [View Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife/) - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) Full ### 23rd Apr - 4th May 2027 - Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Explore the itinerary for an amazing wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, April 2027, focused on some Costa Rica's signature species across key habitats. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) - [![View Details Of The Wetlands of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/The-Agami-Heron-is-one-of-the-main-target-species-on-the-NaturesLens-Wetlands-Of-Costa-Rica-Photography-Tour.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wetlands-of-costa-rica/) Launch Offer ### 19th - 30th Jun 2027 - Wetlands of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Join us in Costa Rica for our new small-group wildlife Wetlands of Costa Rica photography tour in June 2027, built around breeding Agami Herons, King Vultures & the wetlands of the Caribbean lowlands & Caño Negro. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £5499 Now: £5249** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wetlands of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wetlands-of-costa-rica/) - [![Join Us For The Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-red-eyed-tree-frog-sat-on-a-leaf-in-the-jungle-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife-2027/) ### 30th Nov - 16th Dec 2027 - Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Travel to Costa Rica with us for a wildlife photography tour, which boasts an itinerary that allows extended time photographing Costa Rica's rainforest icons. **16 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£6999** Guided By **David Miles** [View Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife-2027/) - [![Join Us For The Essential Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife/) ### 16th - 23rd Dec 2027 - Essential Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Join us in Costa Rica for a wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, during December 2027, focused on core Costa Rica species across key rainforest habitats. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£4499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Essential Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife/) - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wildlife-icons-of-costa-rica/) ### 6th - 17th May 2028 - Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Explore the itinerary for an amazing wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, May 2028, focused on some Costa Rica's signature species across key habitats. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£5999** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wildlife-icons-of-costa-rica/) -