Hummingbirds are known for their small size, fast wing beats, and ability to hover in midair. They get their name from the humming sound created by their rapidly beating wings. While hummingbirds are found only in the Americas, they occupy diverse habitats from Alaska to Chile. Of the over 300 different hummingbird species, several have patches or bands of red feathers on their throats. The coloration is thought to play a role in attracting mates. This article will provide an overview of hummingbird species that display red throats or gorgets.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widespread hummingbird found east of the Mississippi River in North America. As their name suggests, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have brilliant red throats in the male birds. The red throat is bordered by a narrow white collar. Females lack the red throat patch and are identified by their green upperparts and white undersides.
Ruby-throats breed across Eastern North America and migrate to Mexico and Central America for the winter. During the summer breeding season, the males perform aerial displays to court females and defend territories. Their rapid wing beats make a pulsed whistling and chipping sound. Studies have shown the degree of redness influences mate selection, with females preferring males with larger and brighter red throat patches.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Closely related to the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri). The Black-chinned is the most common hummingbird found in the western United States. The male has a black head and chin, purple-red throat gorget, grey underparts, and white tips on the tail feathers. Females are green above and whitish below with green flecks on the throat and lack the red throat patch.
The Black-chinned breeds across western North America and migrates to Mexico for winter. During courtship displays, the males fly in U-shaped patterns to show off their throats to females. Studies show the redness of the male’s throat correlates to fitness, body condition, and feather mite loads. Females preferentially mate with healthier males.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a common hummingbird of the Pacific Coast, southwest Canada, and northern Baja California. The male has metallic green upperparts and grey underparts with vivid iridescent rose-red throats and crowns. Females have green upperparts and grey undersides with small red spots on the throat.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents along coastal California and southern Arizona. The males perform elaborate courtship displays, climbing up to 130 feet in the air before diving downwards to produce loud chirps with their tail feathers. Experiments using models showed females prefer males with larger red crown patches. The degree of redness indicates health, condition, and desirability.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) is found in the desert southwest of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Baja California. Males have purple crowns and throats along with a violet-tipped glossy black gorget. Females lack the colorful crown and have smaller purple spots on white undertail feathers.
In the breeding season, male Costa’s Hummingbirds perform dive displays up to 100 feet in the air while singing a sharp twittering trill. The males also use their purple crown as a display. Experimental studies found female Costa’s prefer males with greater purple crown plumage, indicating mate quality. The brightness and color intensity reflect overall fitness and resistance to parasites.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) breeds farther north than any other hummingbird species. Their breeding range extends from Alaska to northern California. Males are bright orange-red all over with green shoulders. Females are green above with rufous sides and white below with red spots on the throat.
Rufous Hummingbirds defend their feeding territories aggressively. Males perform pendulum displays, swinging like a pendulum in the air making U-shaped patterns. Studies show females are more attracted to males with larger and brighter gorgets with higher ultraviolet reflectance. This preference for elaborate gorgets suggests it is an indicator of male quality.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is commonly found along coastal California and southern Oregon. Adult males have a reddish-orange throat, orange-red breast, green crown, and rufous tail. Females lack the bright colors and are mostly green above, white below with rufous flanks and green spots on the throat.
During courtship displays, male Allen’s Hummingbirds climb up to 100 feet before diving while singing a loud ringing song. Females prefer males with iridescent gorgets that reflect more ultraviolet light. The brightness of the throat likely evolved as a signal of a male’s fitness and ability to provide parental care.
Broad-billed Hummingbird
The Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) is primarily found in southeast Arizona, southwest New Mexico, and northwestern Mexico. Males are brilliant metallic green above and white below with a broad vibrant blue throat bordered by black. Females are less colorful with green upperparts and pale grey underparts.
Broad-billed males defend feeding territories from perches and perform courtship displays by flying in U-shaped arcs. During these displays, they sing a loud buzzy trill unique among North American hummingbirds. Research suggests the blue gorget helps attract females and intimidate competing males. The blue color likely serves as an honest indicator of the male’s physiological condition.
Blue-throated Hummingbird
The Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) is found across the mountainous regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adult males are unmistakable with their bright cobalt blue throats bordered by black along with a black face mask over white around the eyes. Females lack the blue throat and are gray-white below with green upperparts.
During courtship displays, males fly in wide U-shaped arcs up to 130 feet high while singing a sharp staccato buzzing song. The blue gorget plays a key role in mate attraction for this species. Multiple studies indicate females select males with the brightest blue throats. This provides evidence the throat color is a sexually selected signal of male quality.
Other Hummingbirds with Red
In addition to the species described above, several other hummingbirds across North and South America have some red coloration on their throats or heads used in courtship displays:
– Calliope Hummingbird: Males have iridescent magenta-red throats bordered with white
– Lucifer Hummingbird: Males have stunning purple-red iridescent throats
– Mangrove Hummingbird: Males have purple heads and red bills
– Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird: Males have bright reddish-orange throats
– Shining Sunbeam: Males have metallic orange heads and throats
– Tufted Coquette: Males have purple forecrows and throats with white around the bill
– Green-crowned Plovercrest: Males have brilliant reddish-violet throat feathers
Conclusion
Many hummingbird species that breed in North and South America exhibit some red coloration on their throats, heads, or crowns. The red patches are brightly iridescent or metallic in hue. These colorful feathers play an important role in courtship displays to attract females and compete with rival males. Research suggests the degree of redness and color intensity serves as an indicator of male quality, fitness, and health. Females demonstrate preferences for males with brighter and larger red plumage during mate selection. The elaborate throat patches likely evolved through sexual selection as a signal of male attributes. Understanding how these colorful traits function can provide insight into hummingbird evolution and behavior.
