Black-chinned Hummingbirds are dull metallic green on the back and grayish-white underneath. The males have a black throat with a thin iridescent purple base, and the females have a pale throat and white tips on the tail feathers.
- Archilochus alexandri
- Length: 3.5 in (9 cm)
- Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz (2.3-4.9 g)
- Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm)
Range
In summer, black-chinned Hummingbirds breed predominantly inland in western states from British Columbia to Baja California.
After breeding, they may move to higher mountain areas with abundant flowers before migrating to western Mexico, southern California, and the Gulf Coast in the winter. Migration of Black-chinned Hummingbirds usually occurs in March and September.
Habitat And Diet
You can find Black-chinned Hummingbirds sitting at the top of dead trees on tiny bare branches and often return to a favorite perch. They can be found along canyons and rivers or by shady oaks.
They eat nectar, small insects, and spiders, and their tongues can lick 13-17 times per second when feeding on nectar.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Calls and Wingbeat:
Nests
Nests of Black-chinned Hummingbirds are made of plant down and spider silk to hold them together. They are placed on an exposed horizontal dead branch well below the tree canopy.
They often build nests next to the nests of much bigger birds because these birds may deter predators who are interested in the Black-chinned Hummingbirds’ eggs or chicks.
They lay two tiny white eggs that are only 0.6 in (1.3 cm) in width and incubate them for twelve to sixteen days.
Attract
Attract Black-chinned Hummingbirds to your backyard by laying out sugar water mixtures in your feeders. Just remember to change the water daily, especially during hot days when it can ferment and produce toxic alcohol.
Fun Fact:
Black-chinned Hummingbirds may behave aggressively around feeders and other feeding sites if they perceive a scarcity of food resources.
