Recommended camera settings#
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.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 556 mm | 796 mm | 371 mm | 278 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 1,112 mm | 1,593 mm | 741 mm | 556 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 1,667 mm | 2,389 mm | 1,112 mm | 834 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 2,223 mm | 3,186 mm | 1,482 mm | 1,112 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 3,335 mm | 4,779 mm | 2,223 mm | 1,667 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 5,558 mm | 7,965 mm | 3,705 mm | 2,779 mm |
About the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird#
The rufous-tailed hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) is a medium-sized hummingbird that breeds from east-central Mexico, through Central America and Colombia, east to western Venezuela and south through western Ecuador to near the border with Peru. The larger Escudo hummingbird from Isla Escudo de Veraguas in Panama is commonly considered a subspecies of the rufous-tailed hummingbird. This is a common to abundant bird of open country, river banks, woodland, scrub, forest edge, coffee plantations and gardens up to...
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 January, February, March, April and December, 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#
Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin
Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus
Costa's HummingbirdCalypte costae
Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird?
At about 10 cm long, a rufous-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 Rufous-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 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird?
Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, April and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources