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Do hummingbirds change color with the season?

Last post 11-21-2009, 5:53 PM by Matt. 1 replies.
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  •  11-21-2009, 5:14 PM 126422

    Do hummingbirds change color with the season?

    Attachment: IMG_0117.JPG
    We have a few hummingbirds that hang around the back of the house year round, so I got them 2 feeders.  A male Anna's became the dominant one and would chase everyone off the feeders.  My wife yesterday commented that our bird is getting fat, so I went out on the deck this evening and took a picture of him and check.  It is not red anymore, it is more like purple; did our Anna's change color or did it get chased away by a Costa's?  San Francisco Peninsula, Northern California.

  •  11-21-2009, 5:53 PM 126425 in reply to 126422

    Re: Do hummingbirds change color with the season?

    Looks like a male after hatch year Anna's.

    Per the WhatBird link below..... may appear black or dark purple in low light 

    http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/167/overview/Annas_Hummingbird.aspx

    The gorget is usually rose red to coppery red (Williamson) and will vary based on the lighting and the freshness of the plumage.

    Bottom line to your question is no, they don't change color with the season. 

    Nice shot.


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