If you’re looking to identify a hummingbird, it’s important to know the difference between male and female hummingbirds.
The males are usually brighter in color, with shimmering throats called gorgets. Females are usually duller in color and lack bright colors around their throats.
This quick guide will help you identify the most common species of hummingbird in North America.
Anna’s Hummingbird Male vs Female
The male Anna’s hummingbird has a rose-red color on his throat and head. The female lacks red/pink coloration and has a grey throat.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are common in yards, parks, residential streets, eucalyptus groves, riverside woods, savannahs, and coastal scrub. They readily come to hummingbird feeders and flowering plants, including cultivated species in gardens.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Male vs Female
The adult male Ruby-throated hummingbird has a brilliant red throat (gorget), with some green feathers on its back. The female has a white throat with some faint streaks of brown/red, she is also duller on the back.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds live in open woodlands, forest edges, meadows, grasslands, and in parks, gardens, and backyards.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Male vs Female
The adult male Black-chinned hummingbird is black on his chin and throat (gorget), with a purple sheen. The female has a white throat with some faint streaks of brown/red, she is also duller on the back.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is most often seen perched on dead branches in tall trees or feeding at feeders.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is an adaptable species that can be found in lowland deserts, mountainous forests, and natural settings as well as highly urbanized areas with plenty of tall trees and blooming bushes and
Rufous Hummingbird Male vs Female
The adult male Rufous hummingbird is rusty-red/orange all over, including his throat (gorget). The female is paler rusty-red/orange and lacks bright throat coloration.
Rufous Hummingbirds breed in open areas, yards, parks, and forests up to the treeline
Calliope Hummingbird Male vs Female
The adult male Calliope hummingbird is very small, with a green back and a reddish-brown wash on his flanks. His throat (gorget) is iridescent purple. The female is duller green on the back with less of a reddish-brown wash on her flanks. She also lacks purple throat coloration.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Male vs Female
The adult male Broad-tailed hummingbird has a green back and sides, with a reddish wash on his flanks. His throat (gorget) is iridescent red. The female is duller green on the back with less of a reddish wash on her flanks. She also lacks red throat coloration.
Costa’s Hummingbird Male vs Female
The adult male Costa’s hummingbird is green on his back and sides, with a purple wash on his flanks. His throat (gorget) is iridescent violet. The female is duller green on the back with less of a purple wash on her flanks. She also lacks violet throat coloration.
Best Feeders to Attract Hummingbirds
There are a few things you can do to attract hummingbirds to your yard. One of the best ways is to install a hummingbird feeder.
Hummingbirds can be territorial, so having a few hummingbird feeders in different locations in your garden is ideal.
I’ve compiled a list of the best hummingbird feeders for you to attract hummingbirds from all around your yard.
- The best window-mounted hummingbird feeder is the Perky-Pet Window Mount Hummingbird Feeder
- The best all-around feeder is the First Nature Hummingbird Flower Feeder.
- The best decorative feeder is the Grateful Gnome Hummingbird Feeder.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your backyard, you can make a simple nectar recipe using sugar and water.
Here’s how to make hummingbird nectar:
1) Boil 3 cups of water and stir in 1 cup of sugar until it is dissolved.
2) Let the mixture cool before pouring it into a feeder.
You can also buy hummingbird nectar at most stores that sell bird-related products. Be sure to clean your hummingbird feeders regularly, as dirty feeders can cause disease in the birds.
What do you think? Is this guide helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
And be sure to check out our other picture ID guides for different types of birds!