Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating and beautiful birds found across North America. Their iridescent plumage shimmers in the sun, captivating birdwatchers. Of the many hummingbird species, several live across or migrate through New England each year, adding a pop of color to backyards and gardens during warmer months.
Typical Hummingbird Colors in New England
New England is home to four species of hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Allen’s Hummingbird, and Calliope Hummingbird. Each displays its own palette of vibrant hues and color patterns.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common East Coast species. Ruby-throated males live up to their name with a metallic red throat patch. Their emerald green backs contrast with gray-white undersides. Females lack the ruby red throat and are adorned in light gray-green plumage on top with a pale underside.
The Rufous Hummingbird is aptly named for its rufous (reddish-brown) feathers. Males are especially striking with bright cinnamon coloring covering their backs, tails, and flanks. Their throats flash an iridescent orange-red in the sunlight. Females are more subtly colored in greenish and rusty shades.
Allen’s Hummingbirds are emerald green on top with rufous-washed flanks. A male’s fiery orange-red throat glows. Females have a distinctive green back, grayish underside, and bright orange-red speckles along their throat.
Petite Calliope Hummingbirds live up to their name as the smallest breeding bird in North America. Males are decorated with vivid magenta-pink throats and tiny feather tufts extending behind their eyes. Their backs shine with bronze-green iridescence. Female Calliopes lack flashy plumage and are more muted in browns and grays.
What Makes Hummingbirds So Colorful?
Hummingbirds’ vibrant hues primarily stem from iridescent feather structure rather than pigments. Iridescence is caused by light reflecting and refracting off nanoscale structures on modified feather barbules. Slight movements alter the reflected colors, causing hummingbirds’ magical flash. Pigments in feathers, such as melanins, also contribute more subdued coloring in grays, greens, and rufous shades.
Male hummingbirds are significantly flashier than females. This results from sexual selection, as females are attracted to the males with the brightest plumage during courtship. Over many generations, dominant males with the most iridescent colors mate more, passing on their feather structures. This process continues, intensifying males’ ornamental colors over time.
Do Hummingbird Colors Change?
Hummingbirds’ colors can appear to change depending on viewing angle and light conditions. Iridescent throat feathers shift between fiery reds, vibrant oranges, and emerald greens as hummingbirds move. Light intensity also impacts color brightness. Cloudy or shaded conditions appear to dull a hummingbird’s majestic display.
A hummingbird’s true underlying feather color remains the same, but the iridescent structural properties allow for this seemingly magical array of shifting hues. Young fledgling hummingbirds have similarly iridescent capabilities, although their initial colors are slightly less vibrant than mature adults.
As hummingbirds age and feathers become worn from use, their iridescent colors often begin to dull. Molting and growth of new feathers restores their brilliance.
In preparation for migration, some hummingbirds undergo a complete molt. This “prebasic molt” replaces nearly all feathers. As a result, fall and winter plumage is fresh and especially striking as hummingbirds gather at feeders to fuel up for migration.
Differences Between Males and Females
Sexual dimorphism, meaning clear physical differences between males and females, is common in hummingbird species. As mentioned, males have extensive iridescent plumage for attracting mates. Females have more subdued colors that provide camouflage while incubating eggs.
Here is a quick guide to telling male and female hummingbirds apart by species:
| Species | Male Features | Female Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | Bright red throat | Lacking red throat |
| Rufous | Orange-red throat, rufous-washed back and flanks | Greenish and rusty colors |
| Allen’s | Orange-red throat | Orange-red speckles on throat |
| Calliope | Magenta-pink throat, tufts behind eyes | More subdued brown and gray |
Females may occasionally exhibit a few colorful feathers, but overall their plumage is far less showy than males of the same species.
Do Hummingbirds Change Color in New England Seasonally?
Hummingbird feather colors do not substantially change seasonally in New England. However, vibrant fall plumage and behaviors make them particularly striking to observe in late summer and autumn.
In preparation for fall migration, hummingbirds undergo an extensive molt to replace worn feathers. Newly grown feathers showing bright iridescent colors provide males with an advantage for attracting late-season mates. This prebasic molt allows hummingbirds to put their best colors on display.
Behavioral changes in late summer and early fall also make hummingbirds more visible. To fuel up for migration, hummingbirds increase their food intake. This motivates them to feed more aggressively and frequently at nectar feeders, offering viewers prolonged observation opportunities. territorial displays and mating rituals also continue, showcasing males’ flashy plumage.
While feather colors remain consistent year-round, this annual late summer convergence of fresh plumage and increased activity presents New Englanders with ideal circumstances for observing hummingbirds at their most vibrant.
Unusual Color Variations
Although rare, some unusual hummingbird color variations have been documented:
Albinism and Leucism
Albino and leucistic hummingbirds have an absence of melanin pigments, causing an all-white or washed-out appearance.
Melanism
In contrast, melanism is an increased melanin concentration. Melanistic hummingbirds appear darker than typical.
Color Morphs
Some individuals exhibit an unusual color variant from the norm. Examples include a Ruby-throated Hummingbird with orange rather than red throat feathers, or a dark Rufous Hummingbird lacking rufous hues.
These unique color patterns are uncommon but result from genetic mutations or rare pigment levels. Birdwatchers should document any observations of unusually-colored hummingbirds.
How Lighting Affects Perceived Color
Hummingbirds’ iridescent colors appear to change based on lighting conditions. Direct sunlight illuminates a hummingbird’s full vibrancy. Meanwhile shadowed or overcast conditions seemingly dull a hummingbird’s majestic hues.
In reality, a hummingbird’s underlying feather structures and colors remain unchanged. The iridescent refracting barbules reflect a rainbow array of reds, oranges, greens, and more. Bright light allows the full spectrum to shine through. Dim conditions limit the colors reflected, creating a more muted appearance.
Additionally, the movement of feathers in relation to light source and viewer perspective impacts perceived color. Slight orientation shifts generate flash, creating lighting-dependent effects. Even stationary, a hummingbird’s colors vary across its body between brightly lit and shaded feathers.
Time of day also brings about lighting changes. Morning or evening shadows subdue hummingbirds’ iridescence. Midday sun illuminates them fully. Photographing hummingbirds is best done with direct overhead sunshine to capture the birds’ most intense jewel tones.
Key Takeaways on Hummingbird Colors
Here are some key points to remember about hummingbirds’ magical colors:
- Iridescent structural properties of modified feathers, rather than pigments, produce hummingbirds’ vibrant hues
- Males have extensive flashy iridescence for attracting mates, while females are more subtly colored
- Lighting conditions dramatically impact perceived colors
- Molting supplies fresh, bright plumage especially striking in late summer/autumn
- Unusual albino, leucistic, melanistic, and color morph hummingbirds occasionally occur
Appreciating New England’s Hummingbirds
New England’s hummingbirds provide some of the most captivating wildlife displays across the region. Appreciating the science behind hummingbirds’ color and watching yearly cycles unfold allows us to gain deeper insight into these birds.
Setting up feeders and plantings to attract hummingbirds brings their magic right to our doors. Identifying flash points, like late summer activity peaks, offers special viewing opportunities. And documenting unusual sightings expands our collective knowledge.
So as you marvel at the dazzle of color hummingbirds bring to your backyard, take a moment to admire the remarkable biology behind their beauty. Our understanding and enjoyment of hummingbirds deepens when we explore the how’s and why’s of their kaleidoscopic plumage on display.
