Female vs. Male Hummingbird: What Are the Differences?

Known for being beautiful and fast, Hummingbirds are among the world’s smallest birds. The largest of these jewel-toned beauties weighs less than one ounce. Hummingbirds have the most rapid wing beats, at between 50 and 80 beats per second, but this can increase to 200 beats per second during courtship displays. All 366 species of hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are found exclusively in the Americas, from Alaska to the Southern tip of South America. Like many creatures in the animal kingdom, hummingbirds are sexually dimorphic, meaning there are differences in the physical characteristics of males and females. Female and male hummingbirds differ in four key ways: size, color, gorgets, and behavior. Continue reading to learn more about these differences.

Size

Female hummingbirds tend to be slightly larger than males, a size differential that is necessary to manage the demands of producing eggs, incubating them, and feeding nestlings. Although females of some hummingbird species are between 15 and 25% larger in mass and length, these differences are not significant or helpful for field identification because hummingbirds are so small. Since the largest hummingbird species weighs less than one ounce, even a 25% difference in mass represents only a fraction of an ounce and would not be easily detected.

Gorget

If you see a hummingbird with a brightly colored throat, then it’s most likely a male. Male hummingbirds have a patch of iridescent feathers on their throat called a gorget. The gorget is named after the metallic collar worn by medieval knights to protect their throats. 

The hummingbird’s gorget is a primary way to determine its sex, although this method is not foolproof. Juvenile males may resemble females before their gorgets develop, while older male hummers may have thinning gorgets.

Male hummingbirds use their gorgets to attract female hummingbirds for courtship. The birds with the brightest gorgets are often the ones that are chosen for mating.

In some individuals, the color of the gorget doesn’t end at the throat. It can extend to the bird’s head and wrap almost all the way around the eyes.

Color

If you see a bird with a lot of bright colors, especially on the neck and face, you’re probably looking at a male. Male hummingbirds are more brightly colored than female hummingbirds. Male hummingbirds can be bright red, pink, purple, green, and more. Female hummingbirds are usually dully colored compared to males. Females sport dark green, brown, and white feathers. Some species have green backs and pale or spotted throats.

Female hummingbirds are less colorful than males to help ensure the survival of their young through camouflage while they are nesting. This duller coloration allows them to blend into their surroundings, making them less visible to predators when incubating eggs or caring for nestlings.                                  

Behavior

Both male and female hummingbirds are food aggressive; however, males are more aggressive over territory, while females are much more aggressive around their nesting areas and babies.

That is not the only behavioral difference between these two birds, though. Males perform courtship displays that include dives, buzzes, and sounds made by their tail feathers or wings. These displays help showcase their vibrant colors. These flying techniques help exhibit their colors. Hummingbirds are polygamous, and both males and females will have multiple mates throughout their 3-5 year lifespan. Once they have mated, the male leaves to search for another mate, while the female hummingbird builds a nest in which to incubate her eggs and raise her brood.

Females will defend their nests against much larger creatures. Therefore, if you see a hummingbird defending a nest of chicks, it is most likely a female.