The Black-chinned Hummingbird is widely distributed in the western part of the United States in the summer. They are very closely related to their eastern U.S. counterpart, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Plumages between the two species are almost identical, and one of the few reliable differences is the color of the male's gorget when seen in good light, with Black-chinned Hummingbirds flashing a purple band on their gorget, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds showing a red band. They are common in low-elevations and around urban feeders in the Western U.S. in the summer, but unlike some western Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds completely disappear from the West in the winter as they migrate to spend the winters in Mexico.
Habitat:
Black-chinned Hummingbirds can be found in a variety of open to semi-open habitats, including suburban areas, riparian areas, open woodland, and deciduous groves in canyons of the West.
Diet:
Typical diet of Hummingbirds, feeding heavily on nectar. Tiny insects also comprise a large portion of the diet.
Behavior:
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are extremely adaptable, both in terms of habitat and in terms of food supply. They have adapted to a variety of settings in the West, including urban settings, and will adapt foraging techniques and food supply depending upon availability, with less of a tendency to specialize on one food source than some hummingbirds.
Nesting:
Nests are typically constructed relatively close to the ground, from 3 to 12 feet in height. The nests are composed of downy plant fibers and spider webs. Females exclusively incubate and raise young.
Interactive eBird Map:
Click to access an interactive eBird map of Black-chinned Hummingbird sightings
Song:
Song of the Black-chinned Hummingbird is a very weak, high-pitched warbling. Black-chinned Hummingbirds also have a wide variety of calls, most often produced during courtship and other interactions between birds.
Migration:
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are strongly migratory. Birds in the United States arrive in the spring and leave in the fall. A few seem to stray to the eastern U.S. every fall, and a few may actually winter along the Gulf Coast.
Feeders:
Will attend hummingbird feeders
Similar Species:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird , Anna's Hummingbird. To differentiate these three hummingbirds, focus on the specific shade of their iridescent throats and their distinct geographic ranges. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species of the three commonly found in the eastern U.S., featuring a brilliant fiery-red gorget and a deeply notched tail. The Anna's Hummingbird is a western resident easily identified because its iridescent rose-pink coloring covers both the throat and the entire top of the head. The Black-chinned Hummingbird appears to have a matte black throat at most angles, but in the right light, it reveals a thin, vibrant strip of royal purple along the bottom edge.
Conservation Status:
Common and widespread, with no significant conservation concerns. The IUCN currently considers the Black-chinned Hummingbird to be a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information:
May 4th, 2008 - Ramsey Canyon, Arizona - Terry Sohl
