Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats, hovering ability, and long slender bills adapted for reaching nectar, hummingbirds captivate people around the world. One of the most distinguishing features of male hummingbirds is the vibrant, iridescent plumage they display, particularly on their throats. This area is known as the gorget. While female hummingbirds tend to be less vibrantly colored, males utilize their bright plumage to attract females. One trait many people associate with male hummingbirds is the presence of red feathers on their neck or “redneck.” This raises the question, do all male hummingbirds have a red neck or gorget?
Definition of a Hummingbird Redneck
The redneck or red gorget refers to the area of iridescent red feathers found on the throats of some male hummingbirds. This plumage can appear anywhere from orange-red to a bright flaming red or even pinkish-purple. The feathers are not actually colored red. Their structure causes light to reflect off them in a way that makes them appear red to our eyes. Not all male hummingbirds have a red gorget. Depending on the species, males may display gorgets of many different colors like blue, green, gold, or purple. Some have multicolored plumage combining several hues.
Purpose of the Red Gorget
In species where males have red gorgets, the bright color serves an important purpose. It plays a key role in attracting females for mating. The vibrant red plumage signals fitness to potential mates. Females seem to prefer males with larger and brighter red gorgets, associating this with better health and stronger genetics. The redneck also intimidates competing males when defending a territory or food source. So this signature trait gives males with the most vibrant red an advantage when it comes to attracting mates and defending resources.
Do All Male Hummingbirds Have a Red Neck?
With over 300 different hummingbird species in the world, there is remarkable diversity in their plumage. While vivid red gorgets may be what first come to mind when thinking of male hummingbirds, not all species display this trait. Here are some key facts:
- In the United States and Canada, there are only 8 regularly occurring hummingbird species. Of these, 3 have red gorgets – the ruby-throated, black-chinned, and Anna’s hummingbirds.
- Some examples of common hummingbirds with red necks found in the U.S. include:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Many Central and South American species display red gorgets as well, such as the Crimson Topaz.
- However, there are also many species where males lack red plumage, such as:
- Blue-throated Hummingbird
- Lucifer Hummingbird
- White-necked Jacobin
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird
- Some hummingbird species are polymorphic, meaning males may display different color morphs – some with red gorgets and some without.
So while vibrant red plumage can be found in many common North American species, not all male hummingbirds have this trait. There is amazing diversity in gorget color and iridescence among different species found across the Americas.
Percentage of Hummingbird Species with Red Gorgets
To understand the proportion of hummingbirds that display red gorgets, we can examine some statistics on the colors exhibited across all species:
Gorget Color | Number of Species | Percentage of Total Species |
---|---|---|
Red | 78 species | 26% |
Blue | 29 species | 10% |
Green | 55 species | 18% |
Violet/Purple | 12 species | 4% |
Multicolored | 11 species | 4% |
Other Colors | 36 species | 12% |
No Gorget | 80 species | 26% |
This data shows that only about 26% of all hummingbird species display the red gorget plumage. The green gorget is the next most common at 18%. A significant portion (26%) lack a colored gorget entirely. So while the redneck is a distinctive trait, it is not universally found across males of all hummingbird species. There is amazing diversity in their plumage.
What Influences Red Gorget Color?
The species that display vibrant red gorgets do so for a reason. There are several key factors that influence the development of red coloration:
Evolutionary Selection
In species where red gorgets are present, this is the result of evolutionary selection over time. Males with the brightest red coloration were more successful at attracting mates and passing on their genes. So gradually, the vibrant red neck plumage became an established trait through this sexual selection process. The color provides a reproductive advantage.
Diet
Access to certain carotenoid pigments in their diet also impacts gorget color. Carotenoids like canthaxanthin are responsible for red hues. A diet rich in nectar from red tubular flowers provides these pigments. Without sufficient carotenoids, males may fail to develop rich red plumage or lose their color over time.
Genetics
Genetics play a key role in determining color too. The genes that control plumage coloration are passed down over generations. In polymorphic species, different color morphs are controlled by genetic differences. Some males inherit genes coding for red gorgets while others inherit alternate color genes.
Age
Younger males tend to have less vibrant plumage. Gorget color appears to intensify as males mature. Older, more experienced males typically display the richest, most vibrant red gorgets in any given population.
Molting
The regular molting process also impacts gorget color. After the breeding season, males undergo a complete molt which replaces all their plumage. The new feathers may display more intense coloration leading into the next breeding season. Proper nutrition supports the molting process.
So while genetic inheritance provides the basis for red coloration, factors like diet, age, and molting cycles all influence the exact intensity of the red gorget display. This explains why some males in a species show richer reds than others.
Interesting Facts About Red Hummingbird Gorgets
The Color is Iridescent, Not Pigmented
The fiery reds and oranges we see are not produced by pigments, but through iridescent structuring of the feathers. As light hits different layers within the feathers, certain wavelengths are reflected back selectively to produce the vivid hues. Small differences in structure create the range of gorget colors.
Gorget Size Can Change
Some species, like Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, have the ability to puff up their gorget feathers during displays. This makes the gorget appear much larger. When at rest, the feathers lie flat and the gorget is smaller. Changing gorget size is thought to play a role in communication.
Females Prefer Larger Gorgets
Experiments using model hummingbirds found females showed greater interest when both gorget size and color intensity were increased. This demonstrates how sexual selection has driven the evolution of these showy red feathers.
Young Birds Lack Full Color
Male fledglings often display female-like plumage initially. Their gorget feathers molt and intensify in color as they reach maturity over their first year or two. Diet may influence how quickly full coloration develops.
Color May Fade Over Time
Without adequate carotenoids from flower nectar, even adult males may experience fading or “paling” of their gorget color until it is replenished through molting. This seasonal color change is most notable in species that migrate.
Some Males Lack Red Altogether
In polymorphic species, a portion of males possess alternate plumage genetics resulting in blue, green, or minimal gorget color rather than red. Examples include the Calliope and Costa’s hummingbirds.
Only Male Hummingbirds Have Bright Gorgets
Female hummingbirds of all species lack the bold, colorful gorget feathers found on males. Their role is not to attract mates, so they exhibit more camouflaged, cryptic plumage that blend into their surroundings.
Conclusion
The presence of bright red gorgets is one of the hallmarks of male hummingbirds, but not all species exhibit this signature trait. Of the over 300 known hummingbird species, only about a quarter display red neck plumage. Many others have blue, green, white, or multicolored gorgets, while some lack colored gorgets entirely. Even within red-gorgeted species, males may vary in their color intensity based on factors like age, diet, and molting. While the redneck is a bold and captivating display, there is incredible diversity in male hummingbird plumage spanning the full spectrum of colors produced by the physical structure of iridescent feathers. The key takeaway is that hummingbirds provide endless beauty and surprises with their varied and complex feather coloring. After exploring the range of gorget colors and characteristics across different species, it becomes clear the answer is no – not all male hummingbirds have a red neck. But this makes them no less dazzling.