Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Their tiny size, incredible speed, and ability to hover in midair make them a joy to watch. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards. Their wings beat on average around 80 times per second, allowing them to zip around with lightning speed. These aerobatic skills are essential for hummingbirds as they dart between blossoms sipping nectar throughout the day.
While hummingbird behaviors reveal a lot about these energetic creatures, determining the age of a hummingbird is a bit more challenging. However, with careful observation and understanding of key factors that indicate age, you can make a good estimate of a hummingbird’s age.
Examining Physical Features
A hummingbird’s physical features offer some of the best clues about its age. Here are a few key things to look out for:
Size
In most hummingbird species, size is a good indicator of age. Young hummingbirds are often about half the size of adults when they leave the nest. The bill and feet of babies will also look disproportionately large for their tiny body size. Within a few months, younger hummingbirds will be difficult to distinguish from mature adults based on size alone.
Feather Tips
Examine the tips of the feathers. In young hummingbirds, the tips tend to be rough-edged or slightly frayed. This is from the sheath breaking off as the feather grows in. Older hummingbirds will have smooth feather tips since the feathers are fully mature.
Tail Streamers
Adult male hummingbirds tend to have longer outer tail feathers that form elegant streamers. Juvenile males will have shorter outer tail feathers that have not yet molted and grown to full length. The tail streamers may look rumpled or worn in younger males.
Gorget Color
The iridescent throat feathers (called a gorget) of adult male hummingbirds are usually brighter and more vibrantly colored. Young males tend to have fewer throat feathers and duller coloration. The gorget continues to increase in color intensity for one to three years.
Eye Color
Baby hummingbirds often have grey or blackish eyes that will lighten over time. Adult hummingbirds tend to have more vibrant eye colors ranging from yellow and orange to reddish-brown depending on species.
Observing Behavior
In addition to physical features, a hummingbird’s behavior and flight skills can help indicate its age. Here’s what to look for:
Activity Level
Younger hummingbirds tend to be more hyperactive in their movements. They frantically dart around and have less control in hovering. Adult hummingbirds exhibit more efficient flight patterns and control.
Interactions with Other Birds
Sometimes an adult or juvenile hummingbird’s age can be gauged by watching interactions with other birds. Younger birds may be chased off by more mature males. Or an experienced adult may stand its ground at a feeder whereas a juvenile appears timid and wary.
Feeding
The feeding method can indicate age too. Young hummingbirds have a difficult time perching and feeding, so they tend to lodge themselves at a slanted angle on feeders when drinking nectar. Adults perch neatly upright on feeders.
Territory Defense
Younger male hummingbirds are less likely to actively defend a feeding territory. Adult males will aggressively chase other males or perch prominently as a show of dominance.
Vocalizations
The sounds a hummingbird makes can differentiate juveniles from adults. The high-pitched squeaking or pinging sounds are made mostly by young birds. Older males produce distinctive mating-related vocalizations during the breeding season.
Key Ages and Physical Changes
Knowing some key information about hummingbird development and life stages can further help estimate age based on physical characteristics:
| Age | Physical Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Hatchling to fledgling | – Very small body size (2-3 in length) – Large feet and short bill relative to body – Few to no throat feathers (males) – Tipped and fraying wing feathers – Possible tufts of downy feathers |
| Juvenile | – Half adult body size – Still enlarging feet, bill catching up to body size – Grayish eye color – Short tail streamers on males – Less vibrant gorget on males – Ragged feather tips |
| Immature | – Two-thirds adult body size – Eyes starting to lighten – Smoother feather tips – Tail streamers elongating on males – More throat feathers on males |
| Mature adult | – Full adult size – Brightly colored eyes – Long elegant tail streamers on males – Full vibrant gorget on males – All smooth feather tips |
Estimating Age by Season
The time of year you observe a hummingbird can provide clues to its age as well:
Spring
– Adults returning from migration, establishing breeding territories
– Older juveniles from previous year joining adults
Summer
– Nestlings and hatchlings from current breeding season
– Some juveniles from previous year present
Fall
– Juveniles dispersing from nests
– Adults and juveniles mixing before migration
Winter
– In subtropical and tropical areas, mainly adults present in winter
– In temperate areas, mainly juveniles known as “vagrants” seen at feeders
Conclusion
Telling the age of hummingbirds takes practice, but careful observation of physical features, behaviors, and seasonal timing can help provide good estimates. Size, feather condition, gorget color, and flying ability offer the best clues to hummingbird age. While figuring out an exact age is difficult, you can gauge roughly whether a hummingbird is very young, a juvenile, immature, or mature adult. Tracking hummingbirds in your yard or a neighborhood over seasons will let you see how the birds mature over time.
Hummingbirds remain captivating no matter their age. Understanding how they grow and change throughout their life span gives us greater insight into the lives of these energetic creatures we love to watch and support.
