About Hummingbird Feathers

There are 338 species of hummingbird, with 18 found in the United States. Many spend the winter in the warmer climates of South America and come to North America to breed. Hummingbirds are very small, only 3 to 4 inches in length, and known for their brightly colored, iridescent feathers. Hummingbird feathers serve many functions. They help the bird fly, are brightly colored to attract potential mates and serve as insulation to keep the bird warm.

  1. Pigmentation

    • The color of Hummingbird feathers is different than that of most birds. Hummingbird feathers are not all pigmented; some do not have color. In some species of hummingbird, such as the ruby-throated hummingbird, or Archilochus colubris, an iridescent effect is created by this lack of pigmentation. Light from the sun passes through the unpigmented feathers and breaks up, much like a prism. The color of the feathers changes as the hummingbird moves, making the feathers appear to be rainbow-colored and iridescent.

    Least Feathers

    • Many species of birds have thousands of feathers, but hummingbirds, because of their small size, have less. The species of bird with the least amount of feathers on its body is the ruby-throated hummingbird. It has only 940 feathers in total.

    Types of feathers

    • Hummingbirds have different types of feathers, each with a shape to serve a specific function. The primary feathers, also called the "first flight feathers," are asymmetrical, thin and curved. These feathers are found on the wings, and they enable the hummingbird to maneuver through the air at high speeds. The tail feathers are symmetrical and much broader than the primary feathers. They help the hummingbird with lift in the air, braking and steering during flight.

    Pueblo Legend

    • Hummingbirds are important in many cultures, such as the Pueblo Indians of North America. The Pueblo nation believes in a legend that explains how the hummingbird's feathers became so colorful. The legend says that many years ago, a demon lost a bet to the sun and was thus blinded. The demon, in his anger, spewed forth hot lava that set the Earth on fire. A hummingbird gathered rain clouds from each direction of the Earth and was able to put out the fire and save the Earth from destruction. When the hummingbird flew away, it flew through a rainbow, which spread bright colors all over the hummingbird's feathers. Because of this legend, members of the Pueblo nation often dance with hummingbird feathers to bring rain during times of drought.