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Picaflor Rubi

Written by Shanie 

The Picaflor Rubi, or Green-backed Firecrown Hummingbird, has become one of my favorite parts of nature to watch.  We have two hummingbird feeders up and they have been quite handy in being able to see the tiny birds up close.  We have a group of about ten that switch back and forth between feeders.  

Their main reason for changing feeders is an interesting one…there is one that is a grouchy little bird and wants all of the sweet nectar to himself.  He can’t decide, though, which feeder is more to his liking.  He will try and fight the others with bravado, puffing up his iridescent feathers and opening his not-so-gigantic beak as large as it will go. 

He is losing the fight though.  The group, with its numerous roll call, plays his little game.  They will fly in one at a time, until he is overwhelmed with the fight and gives up, flying to the other feeder until the rivalry begins again. 

Their high pitched tweet is an interesting call.  It is most active in the morning, with little conversations being exchanged within the bushes and the trees.

Interestingly, these little birdies remain in the cold environment year-round and do not migrate to warmer areas during the winter months.  They are also very curious and quite confident, to the pleasure of our cat. 

Their coloring is an opalescent green, with blueish-black wings, light grey belly, and green dots on the throat.  Its most beautiful feature is the white dots on the outer corners of the eyes and the orange crest that flashes brilliantly in the sun.