The rubythroat hummingbird is the most common to all parts of
Alabama. The male can be recognized by his deep red throat patch
and dark green back. The female looks like the male except she has
no red on her throat and has a lighter green back.
Occasionally, the rufus hummingbird is seen in Alabama, but it
is not as common as the rubythroat. The male rufus has a "rufus" or
brown color on its back, sides, tail, and head. Like the rubythroat
hummingbird, the male rufus hummingbird has a reddish-colored
throat patch, but it is more orange than ruby.