This hummingbird picture ID guide will quickly clear up any ID needs you have for male vs female hummingbirds.
Male and female hummingbirds often look very different as the males are very bright with shimmery iridescent throats, known as gorgets. Females are usually duller in color all over and lack the bright throat color.
It can also be difficult to tell the difference between females from different species, so take a look at this quick picture ID guide for the most common species of hummingbird in North America.
If you want to find out more about all the hummingbirds in North America, or if you just want to watch hummingbirds then check these out:
- Hummingbirds North America
- Hummingbird feeder and nest cams
- Plants and flowers to attract hummingbirds
Anna’s Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Anna’s Hummingbirds is males have an iridescent reddish-pink throat and females have gray throats.
Anna’s Hummingbird Male
Male Anna’s Hummingbirds have an iridescent reddish-pink throat
Anna’s Hummingbird Female
Female Anna’s Hummingbirds have gray throats with a bit of red spotting
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds is males have iridescent red throats and grayish-white bellies and females are less bright with white throats and bellies.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Male
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have an iridescent red throat and are more grayish-white underneath.
The green on their backs is brighter than the females
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Female
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are less bright than males. They have white throats and bellies and their green backs are duller than the males and the crown is more brown than green
Black-chinned Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Black-chinned Hummingbirds is males have black throats with a thin iridescent purple base and females have a pale throat and white tips on the tail feathers.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Male
Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds have a black throat with a thin iridescent purple base
Black-chinned Hummingbird Female
Female Black-chinned Hummingbirds have a pale throat and white tips on their tail feathers
Rufous Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Rufous Hummingbirds is males are a bright orange color with a white patch under the chin and have bright reddish-orange iridescent throats. Females are greenish-brown on the back and pale underneath.
Rufous Hummingbird Male
Male Rufous Hummingbirds are bright orange on the back and belly, with a white patch below the throat, and an iridescent red throat
Rufous Hummingbird Female
Female Rufous Hummingbirds are greenish-brown on the back and pale rusty-colored on the sides with a whitish belly
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Broad-tailed Hummingbirds is males have an iridescent rose throat and females’ throats are pale with green spots.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Male
Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have an iridescent rose throat
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Female
Female Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have green spots on their throats and cheeks
Costa’s Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Costa’s Hummingbirds is males have iridescent purple throat patches and females lack the purple color and have more white on their bellies.
Costa’s Hummingbird Male
Male Costa’s Hummingbirds have striking iridescent purple throat patches that flare out and a purple crown. Their backs are green and their bellies are white with green coloring on the sides
Costa’s Hummingbird Female
Female Costa’s Hummingbirds lack the purple color and are more white on the belly.
Calliope Hummingbird Male vs Female
The difference between male and female Calliope Hummingbirds is males have iridescent magenta throats and white bellies but females have pale throats and pinkish-white bellies.
Calliope Hummingbird Male
Male Calliope Hummingbirds have bright magenta throats, glossy green backs and flanks, and a dark tail
Calliope Hummingbird Female
Female Calliope Hummingbirds lack iridescent throats and are more pinkish-white underneath rather than white in the males
Check out these other quick photo ID guides:
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Best Feeders to Attract Hummingbirds
The more the merrier with Hummingbirds is what I think and they can be territorial so getting a few hummingbird feeders around your backyard is best. I have picked the best hummingbird feeders for you to get hummingbirds buzzing all over your yard. Just add a simple nectar recipe and you’re done.
- Best window mounted hummingbird feeder – Perky-Pet Window Mount Hummingbird Feeder
- Try to count the wingbeats of the next hummingbird to use this feeder!
- Best all-round feeder – First Nature Hummingbird Flower Feeder
- Not only does this feeder feed a lot of hummingbirds at once it is so reasonably priced that you want to get more of them to fill up your yard with the buzz of hummers.
- Best decorative feeder– Grateful Gnome Hummingbird Feeder
- This Hand Blown Glass feeder not only looks great but attracts a lot of hummers.
