Oregon note cards of a male Rufous Hummingbird stretching its wing and tail feathers in a showy mating display. These premium 5×7″ note cards of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, are blank inside, feature embossed envelopes, and protective clear sleeve. Purchased individually, note cards are $6.00 each, OR, $5.00 each when purchasing a boxed set of 12. Free shipping for orders of $75.00 or more, otherwise a flat rate of $12.00. Once on the shopping cart page, you can easily add multiples of any greeting cards you’ve already selected. If interested in wholesale purchasing of my Oregon note cards, please CONTACT ME for pricing information. If interested in a print of this image, you can find several options at its Gallery Page Here.
Rufous Hummingbird: A Small Traveler on a Long Journey
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a brilliant copper-colored bird famous for its bold spirit and astonishing migration. Weighing less than a penny, it travels over 4,000 miles each year, breeding in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska before wintering in the mountains of southern Mexico.
Males are the first to arrive on northern breeding grounds in early spring, where they fiercely guard territories filled with flowering plants. Courtship includes dramatic dives and rapid chases, with tail feathers producing a distinctive whir. Females handle all nesting duties, weaving tiny cups from moss, plant fibers, and spider silk, camouflaged with lichen. Two small white eggs are laid and incubated for about two weeks. Within three weeks of hatching, the young fledge and begin feeding on their own.
Habitat plays a central role in their life cycle. During summer, Rufous Hummingbirds rely on wildflower-rich mountain meadows, forest edges, and coastal clearings. In winter, they move to shrubby oak and pine woodlands in Mexico. Nectar fuels their intense energy demands, while insects and spiders provide essential proteins for growing chicks. By pollinating countless wildflowers, they help sustain alpine and subalpine ecosystems.
Despite their resilience, Rufous Hummingbirds face steep challenges. Climate change alters the timing of blooms along their migratory routes, sometimes leaving them without food when they need it most. Habitat loss and pesticide use further reduce resources. Populations have declined notably in recent decades, making conservation efforts vital. Planting native flowers, avoiding pesticides, and keeping feeders clean can all support their survival.
Tiny yet tireless, the Rufous Hummingbird continues to link distant landscapes with the rapid beat of its wings, reminding us of the fragile connections that bind ecosystems together.
All-occasion Card, Blank Card, Hummingbirds, Nature Note Cards, Oregon Greeting Cards, Oregon Note Cards, Pacific Northwest Note Cards, Thank You Card
