South · Central Flyway

Are There Rufous Hummingbirds in Texas?

Yes, but uncommon — Rufous Hummingbirds occur in Texas mainly from January to December. Selasphorus rufus · Trochilidae

UncommonAbundance
Winter visitorSeasonal status
7Active months
27,324Observations

Is the Rufous Hummingbird Found in Texas?

Rufous Hummingbirds do occur in Texas, but they are considered uncommon. Encountering one requires patience and the right habitat in winter.

Where to see them instead: the nearest states where Rufous Hummingbirds occur regularly are Oklahoma (about 290 miles away), Louisiana (about 380 miles away) and New Mexico (about 490 miles away).

Often mistaken for Rufous Hummingbirds in Texas: Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Black-chinned Hummingbird — these occur regularly in Texas, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Rufous Hummingbird.

Rufous Hummingbird is a North American backyard bird.

In Texas, this species is classified as uncommon. It is primarily a winter visitor to Texas. The best months to observe this bird are January, February, August, September, October, November, December. Peak activity occurs in August.

Monthly Activity — Rufous Hummingbird in Texas

Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
RegularSeasonalRare

Identification

FamilyTrochilidae
View full Rufous Hummingbird profile →

Best Time to See Rufous Hummingbird in Texas

January
Peak
February
Active
March
Active
April
Low
May
Low
June
Low
July
Active
August
Peak
September
Peak
October
Peak
November
Peak
December
Peak

Other birds in Texas

Birds you might also encounter in Texas.

Rufous Hummingbird in other states

Rufous Hummingbird in Texas: Quick Facts

The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is an uncommon bird in Texas. It is classified as a winter visitor in the state, falling within the South region and the Central Flyway migration corridor.

The best months to spot this species in Texas are January, February, August, September, October, November, December. For birders in Houston and throughout Texas, knowing the seasonal patterns of Rufous Hummingbird can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.

Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Texas using the related birds section.