There has been a trend for them to migrate east to winter in the eastern United States, for example Florida. Most winter in wooded areas from southern California and Arizona, through the Northern Gulf Coast down to the southern region of Mexico in the state of Guerrero If they find a spot they like, they may stick around for a long time, in which case they often aggressively take over and defend their feeding locations. In July and August, many migrate through the Rocky Mountains where nectar-rich flowers are blooming, and nearby lowlands to take advantage of the wildflower season there.
They nest further north than any other hummingbird and are able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -20☌ or -4° Fahrenheit. They have also been recorded in Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia / Washington, D.C, Mississippi, Missouri, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois and Florida. These birds breed in open areas, parks and along forest edges in northwestern United States, through western Canada, up to southern Alaska south to northern California, east to Nevada, Colorado, Montana and Idaho. One isolated report exists even from extreme eastern Siberia. It is one of the most widespread hummingbirds in North America that has been observed in every state and province except Hawaii, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. In fact, they make the longest bird migration on earth, as measured in body lengths.
The Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus) - or Red-backed Hummingbird - is a relatively common, small, migratory hummingbird, with the longest migration route of any hummingbirds that occur in the United States - potentially traveling over 2,000 miles from Alaska to southern Mexico and back, and crossing mountain ranges as high as 12,600 feet.
Red-backed or Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) Hummingbird Informationĭescription and Similar Species.