There are no truly purple hummingbirds. The iridescent feathers on hummingbirds can appear purple when light reflects off them at certain angles, but there are no species of hummingbirds that are entirely purple. Hummingbirds come in a spectacular array of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to deep blues and greens, but purple is not commonly found across the whole body of any species. However, the gorget (throat feathers) on some hummingbirds can appear quite purple, leading to them being described as having purple throats.
Hummingbird Colors
Hummingbirds get their bright, iridescent colors from specialized feather structures. Their feathers have flattened keratin rods and air pockets that reflect light. By changing the angle of the feathers, hummingbirds can shift the colors produced by this structural coloration. This allows a single feather to flash different hues as the bird moves. Some key facts about hummingbird colors:
Iridescence
– The iridescent effect comes from light interference on the feather surface, not pigments within the feathers.
– Small changes in the viewing angle can dramatically shift the color.
– Iridescence leads to a shimmery, metallic appearance.
Pigmentation
– Pigments in the feathers also contribute to overall color.
– Melanin provides darker blacks, browns, and reddish hues.
– Carotenoids add warm yellows and oranges.
– Combining structural colors and pigments creates the wide diversity of hues.
Color Variation
– Male and female hummingbirds are often differently colored. Males tend to be more vibrant and ornamented.
– Individual birds may look slightly different based on wear, molt stage, and feather angle.
– Lighting conditions alter apparent color, with low light muting the iridescence.
Hummingbirds with Purple Gorgets
While no hummingbirds appear entirely purple, some species do have vibrant violet, purple, or amethyst gorgets. The gorget is the central patch of iridescent feathers on the bird’s throat. Here are some hummingbirds with notably purple throat plumage:
Violet-throated Hummingbird
– Scientific name: Eulampis jugularis
– Range: Jamaica
– Identification: Medium-sized with green upperparts and white underparts. Male has vivid violet-blue gorget.
Mexican Violetear
– Scientific name: Colibri thalassinus
– Range: Mexico south to Nicaragua
– Identification: Large, mostly green species. Male has bright violet-blue gorget and forecrown.
Green-throated Mountain-gem
– Scientific name: Lampornis viridipallens
– Range: Mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama
– Identification: Small hummingbird with coppery green upperparts. Male has vivid purple throat feathers.
Amethyst Woodstar
– Scientific name: Calliphlox amethystina
– Range: Northern Venezuela
– Identification: Tiny hummingbird with metallic green upperparts. Male has brilliant amethyst-colored throat.
What Creates the Purple Color?
The vibrant violet, purple, and amethyst gorgets on these hummingbirds are produced by the same feather structures that create all iridescent hummingbird colors. Here is how the purple throat color is created:
Structural Coloration
The flattened shape and microscopic structure of the feathers causes specific wavelengths of light to be reflected. Shorter wavelengths in the violet-purple range are reflected off the gorget feathers.
Precise Angles
The gorget only appears intensely purple from certain viewing angles. By lifting, lowering, and pivoting their feathers, hummingbirds can control the colors produced.
Combination of Effects
Thin-film interference from the keratin layers combines with the scattering effect of melanin pigments in the feathers to selectively reinforce violets and purples.
Iridescent Shimmer
As light shifts across the curved surface of the gorget feathers, different purple and violet hues flash and shimmer. This creates a vibrant, irradiant effect.
Colorful Terms to Describe Purple Hummingbirds
Instead of just calling them “purple,” here are some more descriptive terms used by birders and biologists to characterize the vibrant throat plumage of these hummingbirds:
Vivid Violet
“Vivid violet” conveys the rich intensity of the purple coloration. Violet refers to a bluish-purple hue.
Regal Amethyst
“Amethyst” is a shade of purple that leans toward deep red-violet. Combined with “regal,” it captures the jewel-like quality.
Vibrant Magenta
“Vibrant magenta” emphasizes the visual energy of the color, highlighting its attention-grabbing appearance.
Glowing Violet-blue
“Glowing violet-blue” underscores the iridescent sheen, while acknowledging the color straddles blue and purple.
Shining Lilac
“Shining lilac” conveys the luminescent iridescence of lighter purplish tones.
| Species | Color Description |
|---|---|
| Violet-throated Hummingbird | Vivid violet |
| Mexican Violetear | Regal amethyst |
| Green-throated Mountain-gem | Vibrant magenta |
| Amethyst Woodstar | Glowing violet-blue |
Behavioral Functions of Purple Color
The flashy purple throat patches likely serve multiple functions for the hummingbirds:
Attracting Mates
The vibrant plumage indicates fitness and health to potential mates. Females may preferentially select more brightly colored males.
Species Recognition
The unique gorget color helps the birds recognize others of their own species.
Dominance Displays
Males may flash their gorgets during aggressive interactions or chasing intruders. The bright color conveys dominance.
Camouflage from Below
When viewed from below, the purple blends into foliage and flower colors, potentially helping hide the hummingbird from predators.
Lighting Effects on Purple Hue
The purple gorget color appears most vibrant and saturated in bright lighting conditions. Here is how light impacts the visible color:
Low Light Dims Color
In shaded conditions, the iridescent sheen fades and dulls, making the gorget appear darker and less purple.
Directional Sunlight Brings Out Vibrance
When sunlight directly strikes the feathers, the structural coloration is enhanced, intensifying the purple hue.
Overcast Days Soften Color
Without direct sunlight, the purple is muted. Overcast light scattering mixes wavelengths and reduces color saturation.
Morning and Evening Make Color Richer
The low angle warm light near sunrise and sunset helps make the purple stand out against backgrounds.
Geographic Variation in Purple Hues
There are geographic differences among populations of the same species in the exact hue and intensity of the purple gorget color:
Altitude Effects
Birds at higher elevations tend to have more deeply saturated, darker purple gorgets.
Reflectance of Local Flowers
Populations may shift color to better match the prominent flower colors in their habitat.
Isolation of Populations
Separate breeding groups with limited gene flow may diverge in color over time.
Adaptation to Light Habitats
In cloudier environments, the purple iridescence may become paler or more violet.
Influence of Pollinator Vision
Locally adapted pollinators may drive subtle changes in color through coevolution.
Diet Influences Purple Hue
The types of foods eaten by hummingbirds can impact the vividness and intensity of their structural colors:
Carotenoids Enhance Orange/Red
Pigments from foods like insects and oranges brighten orange/red hues throughout the plumage.
Amino Acids Boost Iridescence
Proteins from flower nectar support iridescence-producing nanostructures.
Antioxidants Maintain Color
Antioxidants from fruits, nectar, and tree sap reduce feather degradation from free radicals.
Fasting Dims Color
During long fasting periods, plumage becomes duller as feathers degrade without nutrients.
Replacement of Feathers
Gorget feathers are replaced every year after the breeding season, renewing the vibrant color.
Do Juveniles Have Purple Gorgets?
Young fledgling hummingbirds lack the vibrant purple gorget feathers. The throat patches of juvenile males have these traits:
Subdued Gray to Green
Juvenile male throat patches are often a muted gray-green without much iridescence.
Develops Over Time
As the birds molt and replace feathers, the gorget slowly takes on more color through the first year.
Reaches Peak at One Year
The full regal purple gorget typical of adults is not attained until about one year old in most species.
Timing with Breeding Maturity
The adult gorget coincides with the male gaining breeding status and fertility.
Sign of Maturity and Dominance
Adult males may aggressively chase younger birds with subdued gorgets.
Purple Hummingbird Habitats
These tropical and mountain forest hummingbirds with purple gorgets are found in these specialized habitats:
Tropical Lowlands and Forest Edges
Species like the Violet-throated Hummingbird inhabit tropical lowland scrub and moist tropical forests.
Mountain Cloud Forests
Hummingbirds such as the Green-throated Mountain-gem occupy high elevation cloud forests.
Desert Oases
In arid regions, purple gorget species like the Mexican Violetear stick to desert oases with ample flowers.
Subtropical Broadleaf Forests
Broadleaf evergreen forests in subtropical zones support Amethyst Woodstars and other purple-throated hummingbirds.
Flower Coevolution with Purple Hummingbirds
Some tropical flowers seem to have evolved to match the purple hues of hummingbird pollinators:
Purple Passionflowers
Vivid purple passionflowers like Passiflora mucronata may co-evolved with purple-throated hummingbird pollinators.
Heliconia Species
Tropical heliconias pollinated by hummingbirds often have striking purple bracts along with tubular red and orange flowers.
Purple Bromeliads
Bromeliad flowers pollinated by hummingbirds frequently exhibit a mix of purple, blue, and red hues.
Contrasting Flower Centers
Some purple flowers have contrasting yellow, white, or black centers to create color patterns.
Conclusion
While no hummingbirds are entirely purple, some spectacular species have throat feathers that flash a vivid violet, purple, or amethyst iridescence under the right lighting. This colorful gorget likely plays an important role in mating displays, species identification, and pollinator attraction. The structural properties of the feathers, combined with the tropical forest environment, enable these hummingbirds to shine with regal purple hues. Their radiant colors speak to the diversity and beauty of form and function in the natural world.
