The feisty Rufous Hummingbird

Hiking on the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains almost guarantees a quiet hike, as this side is not as popular. You will see hummingbirds over there only when spring flowers are in bloom, as water is scare. Try the Elephant Head Bike Trail, or take a jaunt up to Yoas Mountain. This parking spot is good for both trails.The Temporal Gulch Trail is a quiet option for bird watching, although do watch out for illegal immigrants. They will not harm you, and are more likely to run from you than anything else. The Temporal Gulch Trail can be accessed either from Patagonia, or from Josephine Saddle.  At Josephine, head toward Wrightson where you will come up on the junction. McBeth Spring is just a short distance from Josephine Saddle. View the list »
When visiting Madera Canyon, there are many trails to visit to look for hummers or other birds that frequent this oasis in the desert. Try the trail to Josephine Saddle, a fairly easy and popular hike that can be accessed either by using the Old Baldy or Super Trail. For a change of pace, this saddle can also be accessed from the east side of the mountains near Patagonia. Pause to remember the Boy Scouts who died there in the 1960's.

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The Rufous Hummingbird is a visitor to the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson, and one you might spot either hiking in or visiting Madera Canyon. They are migratory, only visiting the Santa Ritas on their trips to and from Mexico. They have the broadest range, breeding farther north than any other species.

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This is one of the most aggressive species of hummingbirds, attacking other hummers and birds at feeders or pushing them away from flowers. They have no problem taking on birds twice their weight. It doesn’t matter that they are just passing through, and fight with hummers that are natives.

The male Rufous Hummingbird is colored in brilliant orange, while the female of the species is green and orange. They not only eat nectar, but enjoy insects and spiders as well. They are known to catch insects in flight.

Reference: The Nature of Madera Canyon by Douglas W. Moore, Friends of Madera, 1999; Allaboutbirds.org

View the list
  • When visiting Madera Canyon, there are many trails to visit to look for hummers or other birds that frequent this oasis in the desert. Try the trail to Josephine Saddle, a fairly easy and popular hike that can be accessed either by using the Old Baldy or Super Trail. For a change of pace, this saddle can also be accessed from the east side of the mountains near Patagonia. Pause to remember the Boy Scouts who died there in the 1960's.
  • The Temporal Gulch Trail is a quiet option for bird watching, although do watch out for illegal immigrants. They will not harm you, and are more likely to run from you than anything else. The Temporal Gulch Trail can be accessed either from Patagonia, or from Josephine Saddle.  At Josephine, head toward Wrightson where you will come up on the junction. McBeth Spring is just a short distance from Josephine Saddle. 
  • Hiking on the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains almost guarantees a quiet hike, as this side is not as popular. You will see hummingbirds over there only when spring flowers are in bloom, as water is scare. Try the Elephant Head Bike Trail, or take a jaunt up to Yoas Mountain. This parking spot is good for both trails.
View the list

, Santa Rita Mountains Outdoor Recreation Examiner

Ms. Strader is 40-year resident of Southern Arizona. She began her Forest Service career as a fire fighter in the Santa Rita Mountains which was the beginning of her dedication to learning as much as she could about the mountains she used to protect. ...

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