Female hummingbirds have striking, vibrant plumage that makes them stand out. Their feathers often feature iridescent, shimmering colors that change in the light. This allows them to attract mates and defend their territories. While male and female hummingbirds of the same species may look similar, females tend to be less colorful than males. Their bills are adapted for reaching into flowers to feed on nectar. Read on to learn more about the appearance of female hummingbirds and what makes them unique.
Bright, Iridescent Plumage
One of the most noticeable features of female hummingbirds is their bright, iridescent plumage. Iridescence is caused by tiny structures in their feathers that reflect light. As the bird moves, the colors seem to shift and change. This makes the plumage appear to shimmer and flash brilliantly.
Many female hummingbirds display vibrant colors on their throats or crowns. For example, female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have metallic red throats. Female Anna’s Hummingbirds have rose-pink throats with a dark center spot. Female Costa’s Hummingbirds have vivid purple crowns. The iridescent feathers allow the birds to communicate through flashy displays.
During courtship, males perform elaborate dives and flying patterns to catch the female’s attention. The female’s bright plumage lets the male know she is watching. Rival females may also signal their dominance and fitness through flashy displays. Additionally, the striking colors camouflage the birds among flowers as they feed.
Less Colorful than Males
While female hummingbirds have vibrant plumage, they tend to be less colorful than males of the same species. This difference is known as sexual dimorphism. The males’ extravagant colors and ornamentation are thought to have evolved to attract mates.
For example, male Anna’s Hummingbirds have an iridescent rose-red crown and throat. Females have a muted pinkish-gray crown and lighter rose-colored throat. Male Allen’s Hummingbirds have a bright orange throat, while females have greenish sides and an orange spotted throat. The plainer females can devote more energy to nesting and raising young.
However, in some species, females are just as flashy as males. Female bees, wasps, and butterflies sometimes mimic male color patterns to avoid unwanted attention. This may also be true for some female hummingbirds. Mimicking males helps lower their risk of predation.
White Tipped Outer Tail Feathers
Many female hummingbirds have white tips on their outermost tail feathers. These white tips are usually much smaller than the large white tail spots exhibited by males. Some examples include female Anna’s, Black-chinned, and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. These white tips may help signal gender and species identity during flight.
Researchers suggest the white tips help stabilize and steer the birds while hovering. As the birds fan their tails open and shut, the white tips create a flickering effect. This may help startle and chase away intruders from their territory. The flashing white tips could also make the hovering birds more noticeable to other hummingbirds.
Shorter Bills than Males
Female hummingbirds tend to have shorter, more slender bills than males. Their bills are perfectly adapted to fetch nectar from flowers. Special grooves on the inside of their tongues catch and hold liquid nectar.
As the bird probes deeper into the flower, its bill flexes to match the curve of the petals. Shorter bills allow females to delicately feed while hovering in front of the bloom. Males develop slightly longer bills which may be better for catching tiny insects. Longer bills could also be used as weapons between competitive males.
Drab Juvenile Plumage
Female hummingbird chicks hatch with dull brown or gray downy feathers. This provides camouflage in the nest until they fledge. As juveniles, males and females both have drab olive green plumage that blends in with foliage.
Young birds molt into their adult plumage after 1-2 months. Adult males go through additional molts over the next year to obtain their full colors. The process of acquiring adult plumage is called maturation. Female juveniles tend to resemble adult females after their first molt.
Plumage May Change Over Breeding Season
Some female hummingbird species gain bolder colors as the breeding season progresses. For example, female Black-chinned Hummingbirds have minimal dark markings on the throat early in spring. Over the summer, they acquire much darker throats. The extra color may signal their readiness to breed and higher social status.
Plumage can also fade later in the season after nesting and rearing young. Male hummingbirds tend to replace their feathers more frequently than females. The drop in estrogen as females finish breeding could cause their bright colors to dull. Fresh feathers help both males and females stay healthy for migration.
Green Backs Help Camouflage from Above
Female hummingbirds display metallic green, blue, or bronzy feathers on their backs and wings. When feeding with their crowns and throats tilted down towards flowers, this coloration helps camouflage them from predators flying above. The emerald green plumage allows them to blend in with foliage.
Many tropical species, like the Green-breasted Mango, have entirely green bodies that provide excellent camouflage among leaves and branches. Their bold throat feathers are safely pointed downwards as they feed. Dorsal plumage provides crucial protection for these tiny birds.
Variation Between Species and Regions
There is considerable variation in female plumage between the different hummingbird species. Here are some examples:
| Species | Female Plumage |
|---|---|
| Anna’s Hummingbird | Gray crown, pink throat with dark center spot |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | Pale throat with darker speckles, green flanks |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | White below, green back, small red throat |
| Rufous Hummingbird | Green back, rufous (reddish) sides, white belly |
| Calliope Hummingbird | White below, green back, bold magenta throat band |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | White belly, green back, pink throat with dark spot |
There can also be significant geographic variation among the same species. Western and migratory birds are often brighter than non-migratory tropical species. The environment may play a role in plumage differences.
Duller Plumage in Juveniles and Winter
Female hummingbird colors are strongest during the breeding season. Young birds hatch with drab olive green plumage that provides camouflage in the nest. Through molting and maturation, they gradually acquire adult plumage over 1-2 months.
Adult females may also have duller winter plumage. Seasonal hormone changes could cause feathers to fade after breeding. Fresh feathers help insulate the birds for colder weather and migration. Drab winter plumage makes them less conspicuous to predators. In spring, regrowth of colorful feathers signals readiness for courtship.
Plainer Females Devote Energy to Breeding
Researchers theorize that plainer female hummingbirds benefit from investing more energy into breeding rather than elaborate plumage. Courtship and defending territory are exhausting, requiring extra time and energy. After mating, the demands of nesting and rearing young leave less energy for molting into flashy feathers.
The male’s bright colors advertise his fitness and competitive ability. A plainer appearance allows the female to divert resources towards egg production, nest building, incubating, and raising chicks. Her muted colors also help avoid predator attention near the nest. Less time spent molting means more time focused on successfully fledging young.
Conclusion
While less colorful than males, female hummingbirds have exquisite, specialized plumage. Iridescent throat feathers create dazzling displays to communicate with mates and rivals. White-tipped tail feathers may help stabilize flight and startle intruders. Short bills allow delicate nectar feeding, while green backs provide camouflage from above. Drabber juveniles and winter plumage conserve resources for breeding. There is amazing diversity in color patterns between different species. Vibrant plumage helps female hummingbirds safely feed, breed, raise young, and continue their fascinating life cycle.
