Allen's hummingbird with tiny spider South Coast Botanic Garden Southern California -
"Hummingbirds have the least average number of feathers of any bird family, but they more than make up for their lack in quantity through quality. When hummingbirds are viewed in indirect light they are actually flat, dark colors. The brilliant flashy metallic colors that make the feathers so noticeable come from melanin pigment arrange in flat platelets. The platelets contain tiny air bubbles that act as reflectors and cause the feather to appear iridescent. When light shines directly on a hummingbird feather, some wavelengths of light are absorbed and others are reflected. The feathers appear vibrant, metallic. The most iridescent feathers are on a male’s gorget (throat patch). The hummingbird can position these feathers to reflect in the same direction all at once. "
hendersonhummingbirdhurrah.com
Allen's hummingbird with tiny spider South Coast Botanic Garden Southern California -
"Hummingbirds have the least average number of feathers of any bird family, but they more than make up for their lack in quantity through quality. When hummingbirds are viewed in indirect light they are actually flat, dark colors. The brilliant flashy metallic colors that make the feathers so noticeable come from melanin pigment arrange in flat platelets. The platelets contain tiny air bubbles that act as reflectors and cause the feather to appear iridescent. When light shines directly on a hummingbird feather, some wavelengths of light are absorbed and others are reflected. The feathers appear vibrant, metallic. The most iridescent feathers are on a male’s gorget (throat patch). The hummingbird can position these feathers to reflect in the same direction all at once. "
hendersonhummingbirdhurrah.com