The black-chinned hummingbird is a hummingbird occupying a broad range of habitats. Its summer range is in the western United States and southwestern Canada. It is migratory, wintering as far south as Mexico. In sunlight, the iridescent purple gorget of the males is noticeable.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Breeds widely in the western United States and into southwestern Canada, especially in riparian corridors, arid scrub, oak woodlands, and suburban gardens. Winters primarily in Mexico and locally along the Gulf Coast and Baja. Often associated with cottonwoods, willows, and sycamores near water but also uses desert washes and high chaparral. Common around towns where flowering plants and feeders are available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males appear to have a black throat until sunlight reveals a narrow, iridescent purple band at the base of the gorget. This species readily visits backyard feeders and adapts well to urban and riparian habitats. Females build tiny cup nests from plant down and spider silk, often reusing materials. Despite their size, they make long migrations between western North America and Mexico.
Temperament
territorial and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside of breeding, with males defending flower patches or feeders vigorously. Courtship includes pendulum display flights and high-speed dives accompanied by wing trills. Females alone build the nest and rear the young, often selecting low horizontal branches over water.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of high, dry chips and tseet notes; males produce a characteristic wing hum and trills during display. Song is soft and irregular, with mechanical sounds from the wings often carrying farther than calls.
Plumage
Glossy green upperparts with grayish-white underparts; males have a black chin and throat with a thin, iridescent purple lower gorget that shows in good light. Females have a whitish throat, green crown and back, and a rounded tail with white corners.
Diet
Takes nectar from tubular flowers such as penstemon, sage, and trumpet vine, as well as from backyard feeders with sugar water. Supplements nectar with small insects and spiders captured by hawking or gleaning for essential protein. Follows a trap-line of favored blooms when resources are spread out.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along riparian edges, desert washes, gardens, and open woodlands where flowers are abundant. Often forages at mid-height, hovering at blossoms or sallying for tiny insects above streams and shrubs.
