Those field marks are invaluable for this adaptable bird, though females can be much harder to distinguish from other female hummingbirds. Fortunately, these facts can help you feel more confident in identifying, attracting, and enjoying black-chinned hummingbirds.
Fast Facts
Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandriCommon Name: Black-Chinned HummingbirdLifespan: 8-11 yearsSize: 3.5 inchesWeight: 0.1-0.12 ouncesWingspan: 4-5 inchesConservation Status: Least concern
Black-Chinned Hummingbird Identification
The black chin can be difficult to see on this tiny bird, but knowing the rest of its field marks is a great way to always identify black-chinned hummingbirds properly. Males have a green or green-gray head, back, and flanks, and a white spot shows just behind the eye. The chin and throat are black, and an iridescent purple band at the bottom of the throat also appears black except in excellent light when it gleams like a jewel. A white collar contrasts with the throat and the chest is grayish-white with a green wash on the flanks. The wings and tail are dark, and the tail has a distinct fork. Females have similar markings, including the black chin, but have a white throat that may show faint green streaking, and the corners of the tail are white. Both genders have broad, curved wingtips, and juveniles initially resemble females before young males develop their darker throats. These hummingbirds do not sing, and their call notes are a low tup that is repeated rapidly. When aggressive, black-chinned hummingbirds also use a raspy chatter, and their wings create a buzzing metallic hum or trill in flight.
Black-Chinned Hummingbird Habitat and Distribution
Black-chinned hummingbirds are very adaptable to different habitats and can be found in arid areas as well as riparian regions. They prefer shaded areas and are often found in mountain foothills, canyons, and urban and suburban gardens and parks. Their summer range includes the Rocky Mountains and related ranges from western Texas north to Idaho and eastern Washington and Oregon, as well as the southern California coastline and parts of northern Mexico.
Migration Pattern
In winter, these birds migrate to central Mexico and along the western coast to the Gulf Coast in the United States. They return in spring, however, as soon as blooming flowers and increasing insect populations provide adequate food resources.
Behavior
Male black-chinned hummingbirds have spectacular courtship behavior that includes a broad U-shaped dive of 60-100 feet past a perched female. Outside the mating season, these are solitary birds, though there can be several in the same general region. Black-chinned hummingbirds are territorial and will perch on a high branch to survey their territory. If that territory is violated, they will chase intruders well outside their boundaries.
Diet and Feeding
Like all hummers, these birds thrive on nectar, sipping from flowers and easily visiting feeders offering the proper nectar solution. Black-chinned hummingbirds also eat a wide range of small insects, which provide essential protein in their diet, especially for growing chicks. When feeding or hovering, they will pump, flick, or flip their tails, occasionally with the tail feathers spread. This distinctive tail movement can be very useful for proper identification.
Nesting
These are polygamous birds and a male black-chinned hummingbird will mate with several females without providing any care for his mates or the resulting offspring. The female parent builds a cup-shaped nest using plant down bound with spider silk, with small bits of flower petals and leaves camouflaging the exterior. The nest is positioned usually lower than 10 feet above the ground but can be much higher. The male has no role in nest preparation, caring for eggs, or raising young hummingbirds.
Eggs and Young
Black-chinned hummingbird eggs are plain white and have an elliptical shape, each roughly the size of a coffee bean. The female parent incubates her brood of one to three eggs for 14-16 days, and she will continue to feed the hatchlings for 14-21 days until they leave the nest. One female may raise two to three broods annually. Black-chinned hummingbirds have been recorded as hybridizing with several other hummingbird species where territories overlap, including Anna’s hummingbirds, Costa’s hummingbirds, and broad-tailed hummingbirds. Other hybridizations are also possible but not nearly as common.
Black-Chinned Hummingbird Conservation
Black-chinned hummingbirds are not threatened or endangered, and in many areas, their populations are increasing as feeding hummingbirds become more popular with backyard birders. These birds do depend on riparian habitats, however, and conservation of even small patches of vegetation along streams and rivers is critical for their continued prosperity, particularly along migration routes.
Tips for Backyard Birders
Black-chinned hummingbirds regularly visit hummingbird feeders and they can be attracted by nectar-producing flowers, though red flowers are less essential to attract these hummingbirds. These hummingbirds will also hover in a mister to bathe or may visit a birdbath with a bubbler or other motion, and they may fly through sprinklers to bathe.
How to Find This Bird
While tiny hummingbirds can be difficult to see, black-chinned hummingbirds are easier to notice during spring and early summer when males are making their dramatic courtship dives. They will also perch in the open to survey their territory, giving birders easier viewing opportunities, particularly to see the purple band at the base of the throat. These birds will also come to nectar feeders at botanical gardens, nature centers, and hummingbird gardens.
Explore More Species in This Family
The Trochilidae family includes all hummingbird species, and while most of the more than 325 hummingbird species in the world are tropical residents, several other hummingbirds venture further north and offer great opportunities for birders to learn about these tiny birds. Close cousins of the black-chinned hummingbird include:
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird Anna’s Hummingbird
Don’t forget to visit our other wild bird profiles to learn more facts and trivia about all your favorite hummingbirds and many other bird species.
