Rufous Hummingbirds are a sign that spring has arrived especially in the Pacific Northwest where they arrive in March after wintering in Mexico.

These birds are lovely to watch, but what may seem like playful activity is really aggressive behavior as they get very territorial. Like all hummingbirds they have immense metabolic needs which is understandable if you consider the energy required to power the amazing agility of flight.

Above is the male with its red throat and to the left a female.