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Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

Tiny iridescent orange-and-green hummingbird with gorget glowing like flame. Aggressive migrant passing through Bay Area spring and fall. Defends nectar territories; pollinates currants, gooseberries, and manzanita.

Plants that support Rufous Hummingbird

18 plants

Big Deervetch

Hosackia crassifolia var. crassifolia

high

perennial herb

Early spring arrival; important pre-migration and breeding season nectar source

Bay Area native
moderate

shrub

Spring migration through CA, early nectar source

Bay Area nativeKeystone species

Coast Larkspur

Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum

high

annual

Spring-summer migration stopover and breeding season nectar source

Bay Area native

Cobwebby Thistle

Cirsium occidentale var. venustum

high

annual

Critical spring arrival and fall migration staging fuel source

Bay Area native

Creeping Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium var. repens

high

shrub

Spring migration stopover nectar, critical energy source during northbound migration

Bay Area native

Creeping Sage

Salvia sonomensis

high

shrub

Early spring migration fuel source (Apr-May) during northbound passage

Bay Area native

Deerweed

Acmispon glaber

critical

shrub

Critical spring staging resource during northbound migration (Feb-Apr); high-energy nectar source

Bay Area native

Douglas Iris

Iris douglasiana

high

perennial herb

Spring migration stopover nectar source Mar-Apr in coastal California

Bay Area native

Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum

critical

shrub

Early spring migration fuel source (Feb-Apr) during northbound migration

Bay Area native

Hummingbird Sage

Salvia spathacea

high

perennial herb

Spring migration staging resource; passage migrant fuel source

Bay Area native

Oak Gooseberry

Ribes quercetorum

high

shrub

Summer breeding season in Sierra Nevada foothills where R. quercetorum occurs

Bay Area native

Pink Honeysuckle

Lonicera hispidula

high

vine

Spring migration fuel source Apr-Jun

Bay Area native

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

moderate

perennial herb

Spring migration refueling stops

Bay Area nativeKeystone species

Sticky Monkey Flower

Diplacus aurantiacus

high

shrub

Early spring breeding and late summer-fall migration fuel source

Bay Area native

Van Houtte's Columbine

Aquilegia eximia

moderate

perennial herb

Spring northbound migration fuel source; visits California populations

Bay Area native

Western Azalea

Rhododendron occidentale

critical

shrub

Critical spring migration fuel source, April-May northbound migration

Bay Area native

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

high

perennial herb

Spring migration staging resource Mar-May

Bay Area native

Yerba Santa

Eriodictyon californicum

high

shrub

Migration staging fuel; blooms align with spring northbound passage May-June

Bay Area native