Hummingbirds are some of the most spectacular birds in the world. Their tiny size, brilliant iridescent colors, and incredible flying abilities make them a joy to watch. While over 300 species exist, only a few regular species are seen across North America. However, telling the difference between males and females can be tricky with some species.
Luckily, several straightforward ways exist to tell male and female hummingbirds apart. The most reliable methods focus on physical differences in plumage, size, and behavior during breeding season. Knowing what makes hummingbirds unique by species, age, and sex will help you identify those visiting your feeder or garden.
1. Compare Colors and Markings
The easiest way to distinguish male from female hummingbirds is by comparing their plumage colors and markings. The difference is most noticeable during the breeding season when males display their brightest, most flamboyant feathers.
Male hummingbirds tend to have more vibrant plumage in iridescent greens, blues, oranges and violets. Females are more subtly colored, with a lighter wash of colors on their throat and chest. They have duller green, brown, orange, or gray plumage on the rest of their bodies.
Specific color differences to look for include:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Males have a bright ruby red throat, females have a pale to medium gray throat.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird: Males have a black chin and throat with a purple-pink band under it, females have a plain white throat and off-white underparts.
- Anna’s Hummingbird: Males have iridescent rose-pink throat feathers, females have light gray to pale pink throats with small dark spots.
- Rufous Hummingbird: Males have a bright rufous (reddish) throat, females have a pale rufous or speckled throat.
- Allen’s Hummingbird: Males have a rufous-orange throat, chest and flanks, females have a pale orange throat with gray-green chest.
These are some of the most common backyard hummingbirds in North America and show the most obvious color differences between mature males and females.
2. Compare Size and Shape
Another way to tell male and female hummingbirds apart is by their size and proportions. Here are some size differences to look for:
- Males are usually smaller and lighter than females.
- Male tails are longer than their bodies, female tails are shorter than their bodies.
- Male bodies may appear slimmer and more streamlined for agile flying.
- Female bodies are often stockier and broader to accommodate eggs.
- Females may have a slightly decurved bill, males have straight bills.
The differences can be subtle and are most visible when a male and female are side by side at a feeder. But in general, a longer-tailed, slimmer-bodied hummingbird is likely a male.
Key Size Differences by Species
| Species | Male Size | Female Size |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 3.25 inches long | 3.5 inches long |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 3.5 inches long | 3.75 inches long |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 4 inches long | 4.25 inches long |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 3.1 inches long | 3.5 inches long |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | 3.5 inches long | 3.75 inches long |
3. Observe Behavior and Courtship Displays
During breeding season, observing a hummingbird’s behavior and courtship displays can help determine its sex:
- Males are territorial and perform courtship displays to attract females.
- Common displays include aerial maneuvers, shuttle flights, diving displays, wing-clapping and wing-waving while perched.
- Females are relatively passive, moving between food sources and nesting sites.
- Females may perch quietly watching a displaying male before mating.
- Juvenile males often practice display maneuvers while developing adult plumage.
If you see a hummingbird performing diving aerials and other elaborate stunts, it is almost certainly a male of the species. Females may also engage in some display behaviors, but they are typically less showy.
4. Consider Age and Time of Year
A hummingbird’s age and the time of year can also provide clues to help identify its sex:
- In spring and summer, adult males are colorful and territorial as they try to attract mates.
- In fall and winter, adult males lose their bright gorgets (throat feathers), making sex harder to distinguish.
- Young hummingbirds can look similar to adult females, showing less coloration.
So during breeding season, a brightly colored hummingbird displaying in a yard is clearly a male. At other times, you may need more clues like size and behavior to deduce sex.
Conclusion
Telling male and female hummingbirds apart mostly comes down to color, size, behavior and time of year. During breeding season, vibrant males perform elaborate displays to court females. Relying on plumage differences, proportions, courtship displays and territorial behavior will help you distinguish male from female hummingbirds.
While some species like ruby-throats show clear sexual dimorphism, others can be harder to differentiate. But with practice observing hummingbirds’ appearance, actions, and mannerisms, you will get better at determining the sex of these flying jewels of the bird world.
