Three weeks ago, I posted pictures of our three hummingbirds. The males arrived first and of the three, two were illustrated with iridescent chins (blog.kootenay-lake.ca/?p=34515).
Now, the females are here, but one species, the calliope, has not returned. So, this posting will show just the rufous and the black-chinned. However, a female is shown, and the male appears with and without displaying its chin’s iridescence.
First is the rufous, then the black-chinned.
The male Rufous Hummingbird is normally seen with a simple black chin.
But, when it is seen opposite the sun, its chin turns an iridescent orange.
The female shows a series of spots on the chin that occasionally are iridescent.
Usually, the male Black-chinned Hummingbird is seen without iridescence.
But, when opposite the sun, its lower chin lights up in iridescent violet.
Our female Black-chinned Hummingbird has practically no chin adornments.
Beautiful photos. Worth printing and framing for display!