Hummingbirds are some of the most beautiful and fascinating birds in the world. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and remarkable hovering abilities, hummingbirds come in a stunning array of colors and patterns. While most hummingbirds have iridescent plumage that shimmers in the light, only one species has wings that look like they contain tiny rainbows. Keep reading to find out what hummingbird has rainbows in its wings!
An Overview of Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are in the family Trochilidae and are found exclusively in the Americas. There are over 300 described species of hummingbird, the smallest of which is the Bee Hummingbird, which weighs less than 2 grams. Hummingbirds are specialized nectar feeders, with long, slender bills adapted for reaching into flowers. Their rapid wing beats, up to 80 beats per second, allow them to hover in place and fly in any direction with great precision. This sets them apart from other birds and enables them to access flower nectar unavailable to other species.
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds consume small insects for protein. They have very fast metabolisms to power their constant motion and help regulate their body temperature. Because of their high energy demands, hummingbirds must consume over half their body weight in nectar each day and visit hundreds or even thousands of flowers daily.
Hummingbirds are native to the Americas, ranging from Alaska to Chile and occupying a wide array of habitats from lowland rainforests to high elevation forests and scrublands. Different hummingbird species have evolved specialized adaptations to thrive in their local environment. For example, species like the Green Hermit found in the tropical understory have a long, curved bill to access nectar from curved tropical flowers. High altitude species like the Andean Hillstar have more plumage insulation to withstand the cold. No matter their habitat, hummingbirds are a key pollinator of many plant species.
Hummingbird Colors and Iridescence
One of the most striking features of hummingbirds is the dazzling array of colors and patterns in their plumage. Iridescent plumage is very common, where feather structures cause incoming light waves to diffract into rainbows of color. By changing the angle of the light on the feathers, different colors can be produced. This iridescence serves no particular purpose other than visual communication and mate attraction. During courtship displays, male hummingbirds show off their vibrant plumage to full advantage in order to impress females.
In addition to iridescent feathers, hummingbirds can display bold colors from pigments in their feathers. Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, and blacks occur in solid, spotted, or banded patterns. White is also a common color found on many species. The pigments come from compounds called carotenoids that the birds ingest from their diet. Carotenoids produce red, orange, and yellow hues. Other pigments derived from melanin produce darker blacks, greys, and browns.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Out of all the hummingbird species found across the Americas, one stands out as having an especially rainbow-like coloration – the Anna’s Hummingbird. The Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is medium-sized with a slender, curved bill and a rounded tail. The adult male has spectacular iridescent plumage unlike any other hummingbird. When light hits the male Anna’s feathers just right, they burst into a prism of rainbow hues ranging from deep purple and magenta to vivid greens and fiery oranges. Both males and females have a brilliant rose-pink gorget at their throats, but the male’s is more pronounced especially during breeding displays. This makes it appear as if they have small rainbows in their wings when the light catches their feathers at the perfect angle.
Range and Habitat
Anna’s Hummingbirds are found year-round along the entire west coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California. Some populations migrate short distances inland and to higher elevations in winter while others are permanent residents along coastal California.
This species thrives in a variety of habitats including suburban gardens, parks, and open scrubland. They are also found in canyons, foothills, and woodland edges. Anna’s Hummingbirds have greatly expanded their range by adapting well to human-altered environments and artificial feeders.
Here is a table summarizing the range and habitat of Anna’s Hummingbird:
| Range | Year-round along west coast of N. America from British Columbia to Baja California. Some inland migration in winter. |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Suburban gardens, parks, open scrub, canyons, foothills, woodland edges |
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, Anna’s Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar and small insects. Their favorite nectar sources are tubular red flowers such as fuchsia, coral honeysuckle, and trumpet vine. They use their specialized tongue to lap up nectar while hovering in front of flowers. This provides Anna’s Hummingbirds with quick energy from sugars.
Small spiders and insects including flies, gnats, aphids, and leafhoppers provide essential protein and nutrients. Anna’s Hummingbirds hunt for insects among flowers, on branches, on leaves, or in spiderwebs. They may also hawk flying insects in midair. Their ability to maneuver precisely allows them to snatch up tiny prey.
In urban areas, Anna’s Hummingbirds readily adapt to drinking nectar from artificial feeders, particularly red colored feeders which they associate with flowers. These feeders allow them to supplement natural food sources.
Here is a table summarizing the diet of Anna’s Hummingbird:
| Nectar Sources | Tubular red flowers like fuchsia, coral honeysuckle, trumpet vine |
|---|---|
| Insects | Small spiders, flies, gnats, aphids, leafhoppers |
| Supplemental | Artificial nectar feeders, especially red ones |
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season for Anna’s Hummingbirds runs from November through May, though they may nest year-round in mild climates. During courtship displays, the male flies in U-shaped or J-shaped dives up to 130 feet in order to impress females. At the bottom of the dive, he makes loud chirping noises with his tail feathers.
Females build a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens on the branches of trees and shrubs. The nest is only 1.5 inches wide and typically located 3-20 feet off the ground. Female Anna’s Hummingbirds lay just 2 tiny white eggs. Incubation lasts 14-19 days and the chicks fledge in about 3 weeks. Females raise the chicks on their own without the male’s assistance. Some pairs may raise 2-3 broods over the course of a breeding season.
Here are key facts about the breeding and nesting of Anna’s Hummingbird:
| Breeding Season | November to May |
|---|---|
| Courtship | Dives up to 130 ft making chirping sounds |
| Nest | Tiny cup made of down, 1.5 inches wide, 3-20 ft high |
| Eggs | 2 tiny white eggs |
| Incubation | 14-19 days |
| Fledge | In about 3 weeks |
| Broods per Season | 2-3 broods |
Interesting Facts
– Male Anna’s Hummingbirds produce a loud popping or popping sound with their tail feathers during courtship dives, which is caused by wind vibrations.
– Their small nests expand as the chicks grow to accommodate the fast-growing chicks.
– At rest, their wings beat around 12-15 times per second and up to 100 times per second in direct flight.
– Anna’s Hummingbirds are named after 19th century Frenchnoblewoman and amateur naturalist, Anne d’Essling.
– They occur as high as 10,000 feet elevation in pine and oak woodlands in winter.
– Some Anna’s Hummingbirds in Canada are migratory while others have established year-round populations.
– They have specially structured feathers on their wings which hold air, allowing them to fly faster than many small birds.
– Anna’s Hummingbirds are fierce defenders of nectar sources and nest sites, even chasing away larger birds.
Here is an H3 subheading with more facts:
More Fascinating Facts
– Their tongues have forked tips to lap up nectar and grooves along the edges to hold it by capillary action.
– Males establish feeding territories which they advertise to females with aerial displays.
– Their heart rate can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute.
– They can fly forwards, backwards, sideways, straight up, upside down, and hover in place.
– Anna’s Hummingbirds live an average of 5 years but the oldest known was 12 years old.
– Their toes are arranged into 3 pairs instead of 4 like other birds to distribute their lightweight bodies.
So in summary, the Anna’s Hummingbird is the only hummingbird displaying sparkling, rainbow-colored plumage under the right conditions. This remarkable iridescence occurs in males during the breeding season and serves to attract females. Anna’s Hummingbird’s specialized adaptations like rapid wing beats, backward flight, forked tongue, territorial behavior, and more enable its unique lifestyle. Next time you see an Anna’s Hummingbird flash its rainbow wings, take a moment to appreciate this spectacular feathered wonder!
Conclusion
The Anna’s Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that can display a stunning rainbow of iridescent colors in its plumage when the light catches it just right. The male’s dazzling, prismatic feathers ranging from deep purples to vivid greens are unparalleled in the hummingbird world. This coloration is produced by specialized feather structures that diffract incoming light into a prism of rainbow hues through a process called iridescence. While many hummingbirds exhibit some iridescence, the Anna’s Hummingbird is the clear winner when it comes to flashing its rainbow-colored wings. So next time you spot a hummingbird with brilliant, shimmering feathers like miniature rainbows, you’ve likely spotted the magnificent Anna’s Hummingbird.
