How does the rufous-tailed hummingbird see?
Amazilia tzacatl
Less sharply than you, but in its own way. Active by day, like you. A sign you can read from 10 m, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 89 cm to see as clearly. Try it on your photo to see it.
A simulation made from published eye studies. Not what the animal feels.
Rufous-tailed hummingbird eyes in 2 facts
- 11× blurrierSees about 11 times less detail than you.
- NightActive by day, like you.
What does a rufous-tailed hummingbird's vision look like?
Sees about 11 times less detail than you. Active by day, like you.
How does the rufous-tailed hummingbird see humans?
You look softer and less detailed to them. A friend you can recognise 30 m away, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 2.7 m to see as clearly. A car you can make out 1 km away, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 89 m to see as clearly. A sign you can read from 10 m, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 89 cm to see as clearly. A wall clock you can read from 15 m, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 1.3 m to see as clearly. A tennis ball you can make out 60 m away, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 5.4 m to see as clearly. To see a pattern as clearly as you do, a rufous-tailed hummingbird needs it about 11 times bigger. A café menu board you can read from 3 m, a rufous-tailed hummingbird has to get to about 27 cm to see as clearly.
Can the rufous-tailed hummingbird see in the dark?
Not especially. Active by day, like you.
Is the rufous-tailed hummingbird vision filter accurate?
It is a simulation made from published eye studies of the rufous-tailed hummingbird: its colours, sharpness and view come from measurements, not guesses. It cannot show what the animal feels or thinks.
Rufous-tailed hummingbird vs other animals
- A cat sees about 1.5 times more detail than a rufous-tailed hummingbird. Cat
- A rufous-tailed hummingbird sees about 23 times more detail than a western honey bee. Western honey bee
- A red-tailed hawk sees about 2.9 times more detail than a rufous-tailed hummingbird. Red-tailed hawk
- A rock pigeon sees about 2.5 times more detail than a rufous-tailed hummingbird. Rock pigeon
- A rufous-tailed hummingbird sees about 29 times more detail than a housefly. Housefly
- A horse sees about 3.5 times more detail than a rufous-tailed hummingbird. Horse
Related animals
- Anna's hummingbird
- Common swift
- Green-backed firecrown
- Long-tailed hermit
- European starling
- House sparrow
More birds: how do birds see? Same kind of eyes: Ultraviolet bird eyes: songbirds and parrots.
More to play: Who's awake now?
The science behind it: the numbers and studies for the rufous-tailed hummingbird