Hummingbird Demonstrates Extraordinary Iridescence When It Moves Head
July 31, 2015 #nature
 
By Liz Owen
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Behold the astoundingly beautiful footage of an Anna's Hummingbird, filmed by Youtube user and bird enthusiast Don DesJardin. While it's unclear exactly where this particular bird was filmed, the National Audubon Society reports that the Anna's Hummingbird is a common fixture on the Pacific Coast and thrives throughout the winter months, unlike other less resilient hummingbirds. 

The gorgeous hummingbird, which Wikipedia notes is named after the 19th century Duchess of Rivoli, Anna Masséna, has a vibrant plumage upon first glance, but to really appreciate this male's iridescent feathers is to watch them change colors as he turns his head in the light. BirdNote explains that this bright tuft of feathers on the bird's throat is called a gorget, a clever nod to the armor pieces worn by Medieval knights. 

While All About Birds depicts the adult female Anna's Hummingbird as less showy, without the brilliant magenta crown and throat of her male counterpart, it's clear that his coloration is making quite an impression on the internet: this video has received over a hundred thousand views in a matter of days since it was uploaded on July 25. Take a peek at his brilliant feathers below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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