Black-Chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri): The Complete Guide

Male Appearance

The adult male Black-Chinned Hummingbird presents a subtle but striking identification challenge. At first glance --- or in poor light --- the gorget appears entirely black, a flat dark bib that gives the species its common name. In better light or when the bird turns toward the sun, a narrow band of brilliant iridescent purple-violet becomes visible along the lower margin of the black chin. This purple band is real and can be spectacular in direct sunlight, but it is narrow --- approximately a quarter-inch --- and often invisible at typical viewing distances. The rest of the male's plumage is clean and understated: metallic green on the back and crown, white on the underparts, with a slight dusky wash on the flanks. The tail is dark, slightly forked, and notably, the male Black-Chinned pumps and fans his tail constantly while hovering --- an excellent behavioral field mark.

The bill is long and slightly decurved, proportionally longer and thinner than that of Anna's Hummingbird. The overall impression is of a slender, elegant hummingbird that looks stretched compared to the stockier Anna's.

Female Appearance

The female Black-Chinned Hummingbird is one of the most identification-challenging birds in North America, essentially inseparable from the female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in the field without careful observation. Both are green above, white below with faint buffy flanks, and have white-tipped outer tail feathers. Key differentiating clues for female Black-Chinned:

• Tail pumping: The Black-Chinned's distinctive tail-pumping behavior is present in females as well as males and is the most reliable behavioral field mark

• Bill: Black-Chinned has a slightly longer, thinner bill with a subtle downward curve

• Throat: Clean white, sometimes with faint spotting; no buffy wash typical of some Ruby-Throated females

• Body shape: Black-Chinned appears slightly more slender and longer-necked

• Range: In the West, any female Archilochus in a non-overlap area is almost certainly a Black-Chinned

Juvenile Appearance

Juveniles closely resemble adult females in both sexes: green above, white below, white-tipped outer tail feathers. Young males may show a few black or purple feathers developing on the throat by late summer. First-year birds are distinguished by their fresh, unworn plumage and fine dark streaking on the underparts. The tail-pumping behavior is present from a very early age and can be observed in juveniles still largely dependent on parental feeding.

Similar Species & How to Tell Them Apart

• Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): Male Ruby-Throated is easily separated by the brilliant red gorget (no black chin, no purple band). Female and juvenile: essentially identical in plumage; use tail pumping (Black-Chinned) vs. tail-still (Ruby-Throated) as the primary behavioral field mark. Range does not typically overlap except in Texas.

• Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna): Much stockier and heavier-looking; male Anna's has rose-red crown and gorget (no black chin); female Anna's lacks the white tail tips of female Black-Chinned. Anna's holds tail still while hovering.

• Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae): Shorter bill; male has purple gorget flaring at the sides; both sexes smaller and more compact than Black-Chinned. Desert-adapted habitat preference.

• Broad-Tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus): Male produces a distinctive metallic wing trill in flight --- unmistakable once heard. Female similar to female Black-Chinned but lacks tail pumping; shows slight rufous wash on flanks.

The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is a strictly migratory species. Almost the entire population winters in Mexico --- primarily in the western coastal lowlands (Nayarit, Sinaloa, Jalisco) and to a lesser extent in the interior --- returning north in spring to breed across the western US and southern Canada.

Spring migration timing:

• Arizona, New Mexico, Texas: late February to March

• California (lowlands): March

• Nevada, Utah, Colorado: March to April

• Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho): April to May

• British Columbia: May

Males arrive on breeding grounds 1--2 weeks ahead of females, establishing territories before females begin arriving.

Fall migration timing:

• Adult males depart breeding grounds: July--August

• Females and juveniles: August--September

• Most birds have left breeding areas by October

• Small numbers stray to the Gulf Coast in fall and occasionally winter there

Post-breeding dispersal to higher mountain elevations (July--August) is common before the main southward migration, as birds track late-summer blooming wildflowers upslope. This altitudinal shift is one reason Black-Chinned Hummingbirds are occasionally found at surprisingly high elevations in late summer.

Black-Chinned Hummingbirds in the arid West have some specific feeder considerations:

Heat management: In the desert Southwest, summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C). Nectar in direct sun can ferment within hours and develop dangerous mold within 24 hours. Always position feeders in afternoon shade in hot climates --- morning sun, afternoon shade is the ideal orientation. Small feeders that hold 2--4 ounces of nectar and are refreshed every 1--2 days in peak summer heat are far preferable to large reservoirs that sit for a week.

Feeder style: Both saucer and bottle-style feeders are used readily. In ant-prone desert areas, ant moats (water-filled barriers above the feeder hanger) are highly effective. Black-Chinned Hummingbirds perch readily, so feeders with perches are appreciated.

Placement height: 4--6 feet above ground is standard. Near the tips of large shrubs or small trees is ideal, providing nearby perching spots. Males will establish territorial perches overlooking the feeder and make frequent sorties from them.

Port size: Standard opening sizes work well. Bee guards help in the Southwest, where Africanized honey bees can overwhelm feeders.

Nectar freshness calendar for the arid West:

• Below 75°F: replace every 4--5 days

• 75°F--90°F: replace every 2--3 days

• Above 90°F: replace every 1--2 days; shade placement strongly recommended

Female Black-Chinned Hummingbirds build their nests entirely alone, typically beginning construction within days of arriving on breeding territories. The nest is a small, compact cup of plant fibers and plant down --- particularly willow cotton and thistle down --- bound together with spider silk and occasionally decorated with small lichen flakes or bark bits. The exterior is often not as extensively camouflaged as Ruby-Throated or Rufous nests, relying more on the plant down base blending with the bark of the chosen branch.

Nest placement follows a consistent pattern: typically on a horizontal or gently sloping branch 4--8 feet above ground, often over or near water (a desert wash, irrigation ditch, or stream), and in deciduous trees such as cottonwood, sycamore, willow, or oak. In suburban areas, nests are placed on ornamental trees, garden shrubs, or even utility lines and outdoor light fixtures.

• Clutch size: 2 eggs

• Incubation period: 13--16 days, by the female alone

• Nestling period: approximately 21 days

• Broods per season: up to 3 in the South; typically 1--2 in the northern range

The female feeds chicks by regurgitation --- a mixture of pre-digested insects and nectar inserted directly into the nestlings' open mouths. Protein from insects is critical for proper nestling development; the female may make dozens of insect-foraging trips daily during the nestling period.

The Black-Chinned Hummingbird is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated population of approximately 8.8 million individuals. Population trend data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey indicates a relatively stable or slightly positive long-term trend, making it one of the more stable western hummingbird species. The combination of broad habitat tolerance, wide geographic range, and adaptability to suburban environments provides resilience that more specialist species lack.

Potential threats and considerations:

• Pesticide use in arid landscapes: Lawn and garden pesticides in suburban areas of the desert Southwest are an underappreciated threat; Black-Chinned's dependence on insects for dietary protein makes it vulnerable to insecticide-driven prey reduction

• Riparian habitat loss: Degradation and clearing of cottonwood-willow riparian corridors --- critical breeding habitat across the arid West --- from water diversion, agricultural conversion, and invasive species (particularly tamarisk/saltcedar, which provides poor nesting structure)

• Climate change: Increasing frequency and severity of drought in the Southwest may reduce wildflower and insect abundance in key breeding areas; changing hydrology affects riparian corridor quality

• Window collisions: A significant mortality source for all hummingbirds; applies to Black-Chinned as to all species

What you can do:

• Maintain feeders with fresh, dye-free nectar through the full breeding and migration season (March--September in most of the West)

• Plant native flowering species --- particularly penstemon, salvia, and desert honeysuckle --- to provide natural nectar alongside feeder resources

• Eliminate pesticide use and support native insect populations

• Apply window collision deterrents (exterior screens, UV-reflective decals) on large glass surfaces

• Support riparian conservation organizations working in the arid West

• Report sightings and banded birds to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory and local Audubon chapters