Male vs Female Hummingbird – Quick Picture ID Guide

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:

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.

annas hummingbird male

Anna’s Hummingbird Male

Male Anna’s Hummingbirds have an iridescent reddish-pink throat

annas hummingbird female

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

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

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

Black-chinned Hummingbird Male

Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds have a black throat with a thin iridescent purple base

Black chinned hummingbird female

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

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

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 (Selasphorus platycercus)

Broad-tailed Hummingbird Male

Male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have an iridescent rose throat

Broad tailed Hummingbird female 2

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.

costas hummingbird

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

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

Calliope Hummingbird Male

Male Calliope Hummingbirds have bright magenta throats, glossy green backs and flanks, and a dark tail

Calliope hummingbird female

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.