Bird field guide · Hummingbirds

Photographing the Broad-tailed Hummingbird

How to photograph the Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (June, July and August).

7–12 cm1/4000 s+ (or 1/250 s with multi-flash to freeze wings)
7–12 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/1000 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/4000 s+ (or 1/250 s with multi-flash to freeze wings)
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
10,156
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/1000 s
Shutter (action)1/4000 s+ (or 1/250 s with multi-flash to freeze wings)
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionPre-focus on a favourite perch or feeder flower and wait; their wings beat 50–80 times a second.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens400–600 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 10 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally. Small birds demand long lenses and a close approach — a blind or feeder setup helps.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)556 mm796 mm371 mm278 mm
10 m (33 ft)1,112 mm1,593 mm741 mm556 mm
15 m (49 ft)1,667 mm2,389 mm1,112 mm834 mm
20 m (66 ft)2,223 mm3,186 mm1,482 mm1,112 mm
30 m (98 ft)3,335 mm4,779 mm2,223 mm1,667 mm
50 m (164 ft)5,558 mm7,965 mm3,705 mm2,779 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 1% Jan Feb: 1% Feb Mar: 1% Mar Apr: 6% Apr May: 16% May Jun: 17% Jun Jul: 23% Jul Aug: 21% Aug Sep: 8% Sep Oct: 2% Oct Nov: 1% Nov Dec: 1% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: June, July and August.

About the Broad-tailed Hummingbird#

The broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is a medium-sized hummingbird, nearly 4 in (10 cm) in length. It is one of seven species in the genus Selasphorus.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Feeders and nectar flowers create predictable perches.
  • Iridescent gorgets only glow when the bird faces the light — angle yourself toward the sun.
  • A 1.4× teleconverter and minimum focus distance matter more than the longest lens.
  • Pre-focus on a favourite perch or feeder flower and wait; their wings beat 50–80 times a second.
  • Sightings peak in June, July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.
  • Tiny subjects: get close with a hide or feeder perch rather than cropping heavily.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Hummingbirds#

Anna's HummingbirdCalypte anna Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubris Broad-billed HummingbirdCynanthus latirostris Black-chinned HummingbirdArchilochus alexandri Allen's Hummingbird Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus Costa's Hummingbird Costa's HummingbirdCalypte costae Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Rufous-tailed HummingbirdAmazilia tzacatl

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Broad-tailed Hummingbird?

At about 10 cm long, a broad-tailed hummingbird fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 1,112 mm, or at 20 m with 2,223 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Broad-tailed Hummingbird?

1/1000 s when it's still; 1/4000 s+ (or 1/250 s with multi-flash to freeze wings) for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Broad-tailed Hummingbird?

Observations in North America peak in June, July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources