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.
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.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Rufous-tailed Hummingbird with us in Costa Rica.
These departures are part of our Central America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
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.
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.
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.
