Hummingbirds are known for their bright, iridescent plumage, with flashy throats being one of their most distinguishing features. The males of most hummingbird species have vibrantly colored throats that they use to attract females. So which sex has the red throat – male or female? Let’s take a closer look at hummingbird anatomy and behavior to find out.
Anatomy of Male vs Female Hummingbirds
There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, all belonging to the family Trochilidae. While each species has unique plumage characteristics, a common theme across most hummingbirds is that the males have the more vibrant, colorful throats and plumage overall compared to the females.
This difference in coloration is related to the role each sex plays in reproduction. The males must attract the attention of females with their flashy feathers so they will mate. Females, on the other hand, are more focused on nesting and raising chicks than attracting a mate through elaborate displays. Their more muted plumage helps camouflage them while incubating eggs and sheltering young in the nest.
Let’s look at some specifics of male and female hummingbird anatomy and the differences between them:
- Males tend to be smaller and lighter than females. Their smaller size allows them to be extremely agile flyers capable of impressive aerial displays.
- Males have more vibrantly colored plumage overall, especially on the crown, throat, and tail feathers. Iridescent greens, blues, oranges, reds, purples, and fuchsias dominate their plumage.
- Females are generally larger and plumper than males. The extra mass supports egg production and incubation.
- Female plumage is more subdued with muted tan, gray, green, or white feathers. This allows them to blend in while nesting.
- Immature hummingbirds of both sexes resemble adult females until they molt into their adult plumage.
These physical differences between the sexes relate specifically to their reproductive duties. Males take on the role of attracting mates, hence their flashy accessories. Females do the bulk of parenting so they are camouflaged and able to conserve energy.
Role of the Red Throat in Males
So where does the red throat come in? The vivid red, orange, or fuchsia throat feathers that males sport play an integral role in attracting females for mating. Here is how the red throats help male hummingbirds:
- Bright throat feathers signal fitness to females looking for a healthy mate.
- The throats stand out against backgrounds of green foliage or gray bark, making displays more visible.
- When males puff out their throat feathers during display dives and flights, the throat looks even larger and flashier.
- The fluttering of the throat feathers creates intriguing movement that catches the female’s eye.
- Female preference drives male throat colors to become even showier through sexual selection over time.
Research has shown that male hummingbirds with the brightest, most colorful throats are preferred by females as mates. This evolutionary process selects for ever more elaborate throat feather displays over generations.
Additionally, the throats are usually iridescent with a mix of reflective pigments in the feathers. As the hummingbird moves, the throat appears to change color, adding drama to aerial performances for prospective mates.
Examples of Red-Throated Hummingbird Species
Many types of hummingbirds have throats ranging from orange to vivid crimson. Here are some common North American species in which the male has red throat feathers:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – The male has an iridescent scarlet throat bordered with black.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – The male’s throat is a deep, shimmering ruby red color.
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Males have brilliant iridescent rose-pink throats with a distinctive hue.
- Costa’s Hummingbird – Males have throats that are violet-red and forked in shape.
- Rufous Hummingbird – The male’s throat is brightly orange-red when breeding.
- Allen’s Hummingbird – Breeding males have brilliant orange-red throats.
In addition to these common species, males of more tropical hummingbirds found in Central America and South America can have throats in spectacular shades of blue, green, and purple iridescence. However, the vibrant red/orange throat is a very common attribute among males of North American species.
Female Hummingbirds Lack Red Throats
In contrast to the males, female hummingbirds of all species do not have red or vibrantly colored throats. As discussed above, their role is nesting and parenting rather than attracting mates. A bright red throat would be a liability in keeping eggs and chicks safely concealed.
Some key points about the more muted female hummingbird throat:
- Throats are typically light tan, whitish, buff, or gray in color with little to no pattern.
- The drab throat assists in camouflaging on the nest to avoid predation.
- Energy spent growing flashy feathers can instead be used to produce eggs.
- A toned down throat communicates to males that the female is not looking for more mates.
The cryptic throat of female hummingbirds may make identification trickier for birdwatchers. Focusing on body size and shape, bill characteristics, and tail patterns helps distinguish females of different species.
Do Juvenile Hummingbirds Have Red Throats?
Young hummingbirds that have just fledged look similar to adult females, with no red throats or bright plumage. Both male and female juveniles resemble their mother. Here’s more on immature hummingbirds:
- Juvenile plumage helps young hummingbirds blend in while they learn to feed and fly.
- Their drab throats lack the red, orange, or fuchsia colors seen in adult males.
- As the birds mature, males will gradually molt into their species’ characteristic adult plumage.
- The process of molting into adult feathers happens over the bird’s first year, varying by species.
- Young females remain camouflaged like their mother, lacking any red throat feathers.
The reason young hummingbirds don’t need flashy plumage is that they are not yet looking to attract mates. At this stage, they are focused on learning to survive on their own. Showy feathers would only increase their risk of predation before they can master agile flying and evasive maneuvers.
When Does the Male Hummingbird Get its Red Throat?
Male hummingbirds molt into their adult breeding plumage, including red throats, during their first year after hatching. The exact timing depends on the species. Here’s when you can observe the brilliant red throats on a few common hummingbirds:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Males get red throats and crowns in their first fall/winter after hatching, around 3-4 months old.
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – Males develop red throats in late winter their first year, about 8 months old.
- Rufous Hummingbird – Males molt to the reddish-orange throat in summer after hatching, at about 1 year old.
- Anna’s Hummingbird – Males attain rose-red throats by fall of their first year, around 5-6 months old.
The age at which the red throat appears corresponds with the species’ breeding season. This ensures the males are ready to attract mates with maximum visual drama when the females are ready to breed.
What Triggers Development of the Red Throat?
The physiological trigger for male hummingbirds’ throats turning red is an increase in testosterone associated with sexual maturity. Here is how testosterone drives the change:
- Rising testosterone levels signal the bird is ready to breed, activating genes for adult plumage.
- Increased testosterone causes specialized feather cells in the throat to produce more red pigment.
- Iridescent structural coloration in the feathers also develops under the influence of testosterone.
- The hormones prompt molting of dull juvenile throat feathers as new red feathers grow in.
While testosterone directly stimulates red throat coloration, other hormones likely play supporting roles. The complex process of molting into vibrant adult plumage involves influences from thyroid and stress hormones as well.
Do Females Ever Develop Red Throats?
Female hummingbirds do not develop red throats and flashy plumage like males of their species. Even when given testosterone, females show little change in feather color, indicating genetic differences between the sexes. However, there are rare exceptions:
- In some species, older females can develop a few scattered red throat feathers, especially if hormone levels shift.
- In rare cases, a genetic mutation may trigger partial red color in the female’s throat.
- Female hybrids between certain hummingbird species may show some reddish throat feathers.
These unusual cases likely represent hormonal fluctuations or genetic quirks rather than a true red throat display. In general, the red throat can be considered an exclusive badge of sexual maturity and fitness reserved for male hummingbirds seeking mates.
Summary: Males Have the Red Throats
To summarize the question of whether male or female hummingbirds have red throats:
- Bright red throats are found only on male hummingbirds.
- The red throat helps attract females and signal fitness as a mate.
- Females have muted tan, gray, or white throats that provide camouflage while nesting.
- Juveniles of both sexes lack red throat feathers, molting to adult plumage later on.
- Hormones like testosterone stimulate throat color change as the males reach sexual maturity.
The dazzling, vibrantly colored throats and plumage make the males stand out. Females blend in with their surroundings. This dichotomy highlights the very different reproductive strategies pursued by male and female hummingbirds, dictated by the plumage they possess.
So when you spot a hummingbird with a flashed of red at its throat, you can confidently deduce it is a vibrant male ready to catch the eye of any nearby females!
