Identifying female hummingbirds is challenging due to their generally subdued plumage, which is a stark contrast to the dazzling colors of their male counterparts. Females lack the vibrant, iridescent feathers that make the males so recognizable. The true visual identity of the female hummingbird lies in a collection of subtle, yet consistent, features that require careful observation. Understanding these specific markings allows for accurate identification.
General Comparison to Males
The most immediate distinction between the sexes is the absence of the male’s elaborate, iridescent throat patch, known as the gorget. This structure, which can flash brilliant ruby, magenta, or violet depending on the species and the angle of the light, is typically non-existent or significantly reduced in the female. Where the male uses structural coloration to attract mates, the female generally exhibits cryptic coloration, which helps her blend into her surroundings while nesting and brooding.
Female hummingbirds commonly have a muted color palette dominated by metallic greens on their backs and crowns. Their undersides are usually duller, often appearing grayish-white, buff, or pale gray, sometimes with faint greenish streaking on the flanks or chest. The male’s plumage tends to be more saturated and darker overall. Females of many species are also slightly larger than the males, though this size difference is not a reliable field mark for the casual observer.
Reliable Identifying Features
Identification of female hummingbirds relies on several specific markings that are consistent within a species. One of the most reliable features is the pattern and shape of the tail feathers, or rectrices. Unlike the males, whose tails are often forked and uniformly dark, the females of many North American species have outer tail feathers tipped with distinct white spots or bands.
These white tips are typically on the outer three pairs of tail feathers, which, when spread, create a distinct banded pattern of green, black, and white. The tail feathers themselves are also generally more rounded than the male’s, contributing to a fan-shaped appearance when the tail is fanned out. The throat, while lacking a gorget, is not always plain white, sometimes displaying fine gray or buffy streaking, or even subtle greenish spots, which can be species-specific.
Beyond the tail and throat, other features like the bill length and curve can also aid in identification, as females in some clades have longer, more curved bills optimized for foraging. Focusing on the pattern of the face can also be helpful; the presence or absence of a pale eye-ring or a dark eye-stripe can help distinguish between similar-looking females. For example, some females have a conspicuous white stripe above the eye, known as a supercilium, which is a useful field mark.
Appearance of Common Species
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird, common across Eastern North America, exemplifies the typical female look with metallic green upperparts and white underparts. Her throat is generally plain white, sometimes showing faint streaking, and her tail is rounded, featuring white tips on the outer feathers. She is also slightly larger than the male, often measuring about 15 to 25 percent greater in mass.
Female Anna’s Hummingbird
In the West, the female Anna’s Hummingbird is somewhat stockier and also shows green upperparts, but her underparts are generally grayish-white. A key distinction is that female Anna’s may exhibit a small, subtle patch of iridescent reddish-pink feathers on her throat, a feature that can lead to confusion with male juveniles. Unlike the Ruby-throated, the female Anna’s tail is dark and tipped with white, and she is generally a bulkier bird overall.
Female Broad-tailed Hummingbird
A third common species, the female Broad-tailed Hummingbird, is identified by metallic green above and a whitish chest, often with a slight buffy or rusty wash on the flanks. Her throat will display some green spotting, which is a helpful mark. When she spreads her tail, the characteristic white tips on the outer feathers are visible. The reddish-brown coloration at the base of her tail feathers is another specific feature.