The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is native to the western U.S. and Canada, breeding primarily in the northern Rocky Mountains and Cascades from Montana and Oregon north to the Alaska panhandle, and migrating to southern Mexico.  A small proportion of the population (representing hundreds of birds at least) winter in the Gulf States, and virtually every eastern state has at least one record of this species.  This species undergoes the longest-distance migration of any species of hummingbird, and is particularly cold-hardy due to its northerly and high elevation nesting areas, where they experience freezing temperatures at night quite frequently.

As of December 31, 2003, Michigan has had 15 confirmed records of Rufous Hummingbird and 5 confirmed records of Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird (S. rufus/sasin).  The precise identity of these latter five birds could not be determined either because the birds were females or immatures, or because the diagnostic shape of certain tail feathers were not observed.  It is possible that one or more of these birds was an Allen's Hummingbird, but the probability that they were Rufous seems greater.

The map at the right shows the distribution of these 20 records in Michigan.

Sight records have been documented by written descriptions and photos,   and in two cases by specimen material.  These records have been published in the Jack-pine Warbler (JPW) and Michigan Birds & Natural History (MBNH), and the original records are housed in the Michigan Bird Records Committee (MBRC) files at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Bird Division (UMMZ) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A complete listing of records accepted by the MBRC follows:

Rufous Hummingbirds

• Adult male on 9 Oct 1974 at St. Joseph Co. (MBNH 2: 29, desc. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 7-11 Aug 1988 at Rabbit Bay, Houghton Co. (JPW 67: 160, desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 25 Sep - 22 Oct 1988 at West Branch, Ogemaw Co. (JPW 67: 160, desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 12 Oct 1997 - 4 Jan 1998 at Ludington, Mason Co. (MBNH 5: 80, 132, desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 25 Sep - 15 Dec 1998 at Williamston, Ingham Co. (MBNH 6: 104, 167, desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult male on 16 Aug 1999 at Lachine, Alpena Co. (MBNH 7: 111, desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult male on 19 Aug - 6 (3?) Sep 1999 at Fenton, Genesee Co. (MBNH 7: 111, desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 26 Oct - 20 Nov 2000 at Bridgman, Berrien Co. Taken into captivity on 20 Nov and never relocated in greenhouse, presumed dead.  (MBNH 8: 97,  Tail feathers collected, deposited at UMMZ, specimen #236616).
• Immature female from (Oct?) - 5 Dec 2000 at Park Twp., Ottawa Co. Taken into captivity on 5 Dec and died on 9 Dec.  (MBNH 8: 97, 152.  Specimen #236467 at UMMZ , first for the state).
• Adult male from 4 Oct - 2 Nov 2001 at Paw Paw, Van Buren Co. (MBNH 9: 109, desc./ph. UMMZ). (Banded, click here for details.)
• Adult male from 26 Oct - 31 Dec 2001 at Ortonville, Oakland Co. (MBNH 9: 109, desc./ph. UMMZ). (Originally banded in North Carolina, click here for details.)
• Adult male from late Aug - 29 Nov 2002 at Berrien Springs, Berrien Co. (MBNH 10: 76, desc./ph. UMMZ).  (Originally banded in Louisiana, click here for details.)
• Adult male from 15 Aug - 20 Dec 2003 at Newton Twp., Calhoun Co. (MBNH 11: 103, desc./ph. UMMZ). (Banded, click here for details.)
• Immature male from 14 Sep - 8 Nov 2003 at Stockbridge, Ingham Co. (MBNH 11: 103, desc./ph. UMMZ). (Banded, click here for details.)
• Immature female from 20 Oct - 26 Dec 2003 at St. Joseph, Berrien Co.  (MBNH 11: 103, desc./ph. UMMZ). (Banded, click here for details.)

Rufous/Allen's Hummingbirds

• Adult female (?) from 7 Sep - 9 Dec 1988 at Lincoln Twp., Berrien Co. (JPW 67: 158, 164. desc. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 10 Sep - 10 Dec 1996 at Fowlerville, Livingston Co. (MBNH 4: 103, 161. desc./ph. UMMZ).
• Adult female from 31 Dec 1997 - 11 Jan 1998 at Holland, Ottawa Co. Taken into captivity for winter, released apparently healthy in May 1998. (MBNH 5: 132. desc. UMMZ).
• Adult male on 9 Oct 1999 at Lansing, Ingham Co. (MBNH 8: 230. desc. UMMZ).
• Adult male from 19-21 Jul 2000 at East Leroy, Calhoun Co. (MBNH 8: 33-34. desc./ph. UMMZ).