Black-chinned Hummingbird
A Black-chinned Hummingbird is a fun bird to see while bird watching. Below are some tips to help you identify Black-chinned Hummingbirds. We have also put together a list of fun Black-chinned Hummingbird t-shirts, Black-chinned Hummingbird bird patches, bird houses, bird feeders, binoculars, stickers and other fun bird watching items.
About Black-chinned Hummingbirds
It is well known for its incredible ability to adapt to different habitats from deserts to mountain forests and are seen to migrate during the winter season. Black-chinned Hummingbirds can be found mostly near water sources in the western parts of the United States.
Description and Identification
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are small and slender hummingbirds about 3.5 inches long
with big eyes and black bills. The wingspan of these birds is usually around 4 inches. These
birds exhibit sexual dimorphism with the differences being evident in the colors they
display. Males have velvety, black throats with thin iridescent purple bases whereas females
have pale throats. Females also have three outer-tailed feathers that are tipped with white.
The flanks in both the sexes are a dull, metallic green. The young are born completely
featherless and begin obtaining their first sets of feathers after the initial three weeks.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Color Pattern
Adult Black-chinned Hummingbird have a shade of metallic green on its upper body and white underparts with green sides. Males have a black face, a purple band around their necks and a dark long tail. Females on the other hand also have dark rounded tails but lack the purple band around their throats.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Size
They are fairly small and slender in size with a long straight bill. The adults have relative measurements of:
- Length 9 cm
- Weight 2.3 – 4.9 g
- Wingspan 11 cm
Black-chinned Hummingbird Behavior
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is very territorial hovering over flowers and darting vigorously as it feeds on small swarming insects. It perches frequently at the topmost bare branch. It courts its female counterpart by diving from great heights of 60 to 100 feet.
What Black-chinned Hummingbirds Eat
The diet of these hummingbirds primarily revolves around nectar from flowers, spiders and
insects, and sugar water from feeders. They act as important pollinating agents for some
plants when they extend their bills deep into the center of the flower to extract its nectar.
They achieve this by hovering over the flower as they feed. They similarly hover or perch on
feeders to obtain sugar water. These birds also consume a variety of insects by either
catching them mid-air, foraging for them on the forest floor, or stealing them from
spiderwebs. On occasion, they have been known to consume spiders as well.
With its long bill and fast wing beats the hummingbirds’ preferred food is nectar and the occasional small insects like spiders and sugar water from feeders.
Where Black-chinned Hummingbird Live
These birds are more frequently found in canyons and along rivers. They generally prefer
semiarid areas in mountains, woodlands, orchards, meadows, and chaparral habitats. They
are drawn towards open spaces and stay in close proximity to water bodies. During the
winter, their migration routes take towards the dryer and arid regions along the southern United
States and northern Mexico. In these places, most Black-chinned Hummingbirds are found
near cottonwood, sycamore, willow, salt-cedar, sugarberry, and oak.
During the winter season, the Black-chinned Hummingbird spends most of its time under the shade of great oak trees. Under normal weather conditions, it is found in arid areas like canyons along rivers.
Range and Migration
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are strictly migratory birds found throughout North America,
ranging from south-central Canada to much of western United States during the breeding
season. Their migratory patterns during winters take them towards southwestern United
States and further south towards Mexico. They usually arrive at their breeding locations in
early spring and leave for their wintering locations during early fall. A relatively smaller
community in northern Mexico stays in the region throughout the year.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Lifecycle
The female lays 2 small eggs at a time incubating them on her own for 12 – 16 days. One egg is the size of a coffee bean and the nest made of spider silk and cocoon fibers expand as the hatchlings grow. The male is responsible for gathering materials for the nest and food for the female and hatchlings. The hummingbird population has increased over the years with the increase of hummingbird gardens to help pollination and hummingbird feeders.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Nesting
The nests are built by the females at a height of approximately 6 feet to 12 feet above the
ground. Ecologists have theorized that the nests may go higher and the ones in the aforementioned range are mostly just easier to see. They are usually built along exposed
and small horizontal or diagonal branches well below the canopy. Using plant down, spider
silk, and cocoon fibers, a small compact nest is built that gradually stretches into a shallow
cup as nestlings grow. The outside of the nest is camouflaged with dead leaves, debris, and
lichen to shield it from birds of prey. Females can have 1 – 3 broods each breeding season,
incubating an average of 2 eggs in every clutch.
Ornithology
Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes
At Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.
Bird Watching Binoculars for Identifying Black-chinned Hummingbirds
The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Black-chinned Hummingbirds are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.
Black-chinned Hummingbird T-shirts
If you love the Black-chinned Hummingbird you should purchase a Bird Watching Academy & Camp T-shirt. To help support bird conservation we donate 10 percent to bird conservation activities.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds Iron On Patches
Kids, Youth, and Adults love to collect our Bird Watching Academy & Camp iron on patches. Our bird watching patches help you keep track of the birds you have seen an identified. You can also display the patches on our Bird Watching Academy & Camp banners.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a great iron on patch to start your collection with. The patches are durable and can be sewn on or ironed on to just about anything.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Stickers
Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Black-chinned Hummingbird. Here is the sticker pack we sell with a Black-chinned Hummingbird sticker.
Bird Feeders For Black-chinned Hummingbirds
There are many types of bird feeders for Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Here are some of our favorites.
Best Bird House for Black-chinned Hummingbirds
There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. These 4 bird houses have become our favorites. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. We spent a little extra money on these bird houses but they have been worth the higher price and look great.
