Hummingbird or Swallow-tailed Hummingbird?

General appearance

Hummingbirds are small, vibrant birds with iridescent feathers. They are most noticeable for their quick, darting flying style and ability to hover in mid-air. Colors range widely, including greens, blues, purples, reds, and whites, often with a metallic sheen. They possess a long, thin beak perfect for sipping nectar from flowers.

Male vs female

Males are typically brighter and more colorful than females, often with a ‘gorget’ or patch of bright, iridescent throat feathers that females lack. Female hummingbirds have softer, muted coloration for camouflage when nesting. Males are also slightly smaller on average.

Juvenile

Juvenile hummingbirds resemble their mothers in colouring to stay camouflaged. They lack the iridescent throat patch of adult males. As they mature, juvenile males begin to develop more vibrant feathers, particularly on their throats, and by their first winter, most will have at least a few bright feathers indicative of their gender.

Primary habitat

Hummingbirds primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical regions, with the highest species diversity found in rainforests. They also inhabit mountainous regions and desert edges.

Additional range

Hummingbirds additionally occupy temperate climates during breeding season, migrating to North and South America. Some species adapt to urban environments, living in gardens and parks.

Natural diet

Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowers, which provides them with the necessary energy for their high metabolism. They are attracted to brightly colored tubular flowers. In addition to nectar, they consume small insects and spiders, which supply essential proteins for their diet.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, hummingbirds commonly consume sugar water solutions. A typical ratio for homemade nectar is one part white granulated sugar to four parts water. It is important that the solution does not contain honey, artificial sweeteners, or food coloring. These feeders are often brightly colored to attract the birds.