Anna’s Hummingbird, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye

The Bird with a Million Faces | March 2017

Meet the Bird with a Million Faces


Anna’s Hummingbird, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: The Bird with a Million Faces

Anna’s Hummingbird, Male


Few people realize the male Anna’s Hummingbird has a million faces.

(Give or take a few.)

Usually, they see something like the bird in the above photo.

But the male’s gorget can show a rainbow of hues, going from black to red to pink to gold.

For example, it can go from looking like this:


Anna’s Hummingbird, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: The Bird with a Million Faces

Anna’s Hummingbird, Male


to looking like this:


Anna’s Hummingbird, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: The Bird with a Million Faces

Anna’s Hummingbird, Male


Or it can go from looking like this:


Anna’s Hummingbird, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: The Bird with a Million Faces

Anna’s Hummingbird, Male


to looking like this:


Anna’s Hummingbird, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: The Bird with a Million Faces

Anna’s Hummingbird, Male


And this is just a small sample of what this bird can show.

So the next time that you’re out, pause a moment to watch this bird display its million faces.

Wish you the best,

Steve Kaye

Find More at:

Hummingbird Photos

Grateful for Gifts

Uncommon Hummingbird Photos


Hummingbird Info

Hummingbirds are able to move the feathers in their gorget, changing the angle they make with the sun. Thus this increases or decreases their luminescence.

Since hummingbirds eat about twice their body weight in nectar each day, protecting their habitat is critical.

So when this bird sees another hummingbird, it flashes its gorget as a warning. If the intruder ignores this warning, the bird will chase the other bird by flying toward it. And that ends the dispute, until the intruder returns.


Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation


You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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4 Comments
  • Susan Bulger
    Posted at 07:24h, 29 March

    Once again your patience is rewarded.

  • Beth Kingsley Hawkins
    Posted at 09:17h, 29 March

    Love it! Thanks for showing the Anna’s colorful transformational possibilities! Beth

  • Kathryn Grace
    Posted at 09:20h, 29 March

    Hummingbirds never fail to bring a smile to my face. I listen for the flick of their wings when I’m out and about, and stop in my tracks in hopes of spying the fast-darting mites. Your photos always captivate me, Steve. And I so appreciate your reminders and tips for caring for our feathered friends.

  • Bob Franz
    Posted at 07:29h, 03 April

    I wish some one would change “gorget” to something more pleasant sounding or descriptive – how about “palette”?

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