Our broadtail hummingbirds migrate to Mexico every year, and return sometime in May. This year they seemed a little late, but now we have about 40 at our house, and 15 at each of the other cabins.



The broadtail male's back is green and he has a bright red throat. They are larger than the ruby throated hummingbirds back east.



Around the Fourth of July we start looking for the feisty little rufous hummingbird. He's all orange, and is like the redheaded bully on the playground. The male has a bright orange throat, and orange back. The females and young males look like the broadtail females and young.





During their month-long stay, the rufous males will guard the feeders, chasing away any birds who venture near. And all will be chaos. Then, at the end of July they will disappear. The females and newly-hatched young will also go away, but we won't know it was them, because they look like the ones who will stay another six weeks.