Types of Hummingbird Wings

Hummingbird Wings

• Hummingbirds have a distinctive flight pattern due to the types of wings they possess. Their wings are flexible at the shoulder, and they̵7;re the only bird that gathers strength from the up-stroke, as well as the down stroke. Hummingbirds flap their wings horizontally in the shape of a figure 8, varying the motion and angle of their wings as they move. They hover or ̶0;scull̶1; in the air by holding their bodies upright while expanding and contracting their tail feathers. Instead of pushing off a perch to gain flight, they rise by flapping their wings at full speed. The rate at which hummingbirds beat their wings depends on their size -- the smaller the bird, the faster the wing beat. The majority of North American hummingbirds beat their wings at an average of 53 beats per second.

Characteristics of Hummingbird Wings

• The iridescent feathers of male hummingbirds throats or ̶0;gorgets̶1; are among the most specialized of all bird feathers. Approximately one-third of the outward or ̶0;distal̶1; part of each feather is iridescent. The iridescence of hummingbird feathers is created by smooth, flat, color-producing ̶0;barbules,̶1; which are tiny sub-feathers within each feather. The color-producing pigments are organized into a compact mosaic of eight to 10 stacked layers, which creates intense colors and visual effects from varying light indexes. The distinctive visual effects of hummingbird wings are a result of the physical structure of the feathers, as well as a combination of light refraction and pigmentation, called melanin.

Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds

• Male Allen̵7;s hummingbirds (selasphorus sasin) are smaller than the females, have iridescent copper-red throats and metallic bronze-green backs and heads. Females are distinguished by white breasts and throats with red spots. Anna̵7;s hummingbirds (Calypte anna) are characterized by having dark wings with white tips. Males also have white spots under their eyes and deep, iridescent red heads and throats.

Berryline and Black-Chinned Hummingbirds

• Berryline hummingbirds (Amazilia beryllina) have emerald green bodies with purple on their bottoms, wings and tail feathers. Black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) are the least colorful of all hummingbirds, and have black throats with white collars.

Blue-Throated and Broad-Billed Hummingbirds

• Blue-throated hummingbirds (Lampornis clemenciae) are the largest species of hummingbird. They̵7;re characterized by having thin, white stripes above and below their eyes. Males are differentiated from females by their bright blue throats and dark blue tail feathers. Broad-billed hummingbirds (Cynanthus latirostris) have metallic blue throats and red-orange bills. Males have black tips at the end of their bills.

Broad-Tailed and Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds

• Broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) have wings that create whistling sounds during flight that resembles a cricket. Males have rose-colored throats, while females have black spots on their breasts, and copper-colored tail feathers. Buff-bellied hummingbirds (Amazilia yucatanensis) are characterized by having white rings around their eyes and buff-colored bellies.

Calliope and Costa's Hummingbirds

• Male Calliope hummingbirds (Stellula calliope) are distinguished by purple markings, which extend from their throats. Females have dark-colored streaks on their throats. Male Costa̵7;s hummingbirds (Calypte costae) have violet-purple heads and unusually long throat feathers. Females are less colorful, lack the long feathers and have green backs and heads.

Lucifer and Magnificent Hummingbirds

• Lucifer hummingbirds (Calothorax lucifer) have a unique bill that curves downward. Males have magenta throats. Magnificent hummingbirds (Eugenes fulgens) are the second-largest hummingbird. They̵7;re distinguished by their purple foreheads and crowns. Females have pearl-gray tips on their tail feathers.

Ruby-Throated and Rufous Hummingbirds

• Ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) are the most common North American hummingbird species. Males have iridescent ruby red throats and forked tails. Females are differentiated from males by their white throats. Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are characterized by their bright orange-red throats and white breasts.

Violet-Crowned, White-Eared and Xantus' Hummingbirds

• Violet-crowned hummingbirds (Amazilia violiceps) have violet-blue heads and red bills with dark tips. White-eared hummingbirds (Hylocharis leucotis) have distinctive iridescent blue-green chins, white ear stripes and red bills. Xantus̵7; hummingbirds (Hylocharis xantusii) are characterized by the white stripe that extends from their eyes and their cinnamon-colored bellies.