Immature Male Anna's Hummingbird
The colored area of the throat in hummingbirds is called the gorget. This immature Anna's is starting to develop the coloration in the gorget as well as the sides and top of the head that will later identify him as a mature male Anna's Hummingbird.
The iridescence which shows in the hummingbirds is the result of feather structure and the reflection of light upon the platelets within each feather. The angle at which one views the light reflecting off these platelets determines what color effects are produced. This little fella seems to be sporting a chekered rainbow.
Immature Male Anna's Hummingbird
The colored area of the throat in hummingbirds is called the gorget. This immature Anna's is starting to develop the coloration in the gorget as well as the sides and top of the head that will later identify him as a mature male Anna's Hummingbird.
The iridescence which shows in the hummingbirds is the result of feather structure and the reflection of light upon the platelets within each feather. The angle at which one views the light reflecting off these platelets determines what color effects are produced. This little fella seems to be sporting a chekered rainbow.