The Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) may not be as flashy as some of its hummingbird cousins, but this remarkable little bird is one of the most widespread and successful hummingbirds in western North America. Found throughout much of the western United States and Mexico, the Black-chinned Hummingbird is a familiar summer visitor to Colorado Springs, where it shares gardens, parks, and backyard feeders with the more familiar Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

At first glance, a male Black-chinned Hummingbird can appear rather plain. His namesake black throat often looks entirely dark in ordinary light. However, when sunlight strikes at just the right angle, a brilliant band of iridescent blue/purple flashes across the lower portion of the throat, transforming the bird into a dazzling jewel. Females lack the black throat but possess their own understated beauty, with soft green upperparts.

Like all hummingbirds, the Black-chinned Hummingbird is a marvel of adaptation. Weighing little more than a penny, it can hover in place, fly backward, and dart through the air with astonishing speed and agility. Its heart may beat more than 1,200 times per minute during active flight, and its wings can move up to 80 times per second.

The scientific name Archilochus alexandri honors Alexandre Lesueur, a French naturalist and artist who documented many species during the early nineteenth century. The species was formally described in 1829.

Although often overshadowed by the colorful Rufous Hummingbird or the mountain-loving Broad-tailed Hummingbird, the Black-chinned Hummingbird deserves recognition as one of North America's most adaptable hummingbirds. It thrives in deserts, canyons, suburbs, riparian corridors, and backyard gardens. As urban landscapes continue to expand across the West, this species has shown an impressive ability to adapt and even benefit from carefully maintained feeders and flowering landscapes.

For many Colorado bird lovers, spotting a Black-chinned Hummingbird requires a second look. The species can be difficult to distinguish from other hummingbirds, particularly females and immature birds. Yet learning to identify and appreciate these tiny aerial acrobats adds another layer of enjoyment to backyard birding.

Quick Facts

Length: 3.25 to 3.75 inches

Wingspan: Approximately 4.3 inches

Weight: 2.5 to 4.5 grams

Lifespan: Typically 3 to 5 years, though some individuals live considerably longer

Habitat: Riparian corridors, deserts, canyons, woodlands, parks, suburban gardens

Range: Western North America, breeding from southern Canada through the western United States

Diet: Nectar, insects, spiders

Conservation Status: Least Concern

 

Identification

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are small, slender hummingbirds with relatively long bills and streamlined bodies.

Adult males display metallic green backs and crowns. Their throats appear black under most lighting conditions, but a narrow iridescent violet band along the lower throat flashes brilliantly when illuminated by sunlight.

Adult females have green upperparts and pale grayish-white underparts. They lack the male's colorful throat and may show faint buff coloring on their sides. Their tails often display white tips that help distinguish them from similar species.

Juveniles resemble adult females during their first year.

Compared to Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds have a slightly longer appearance and lack the broad-tailed male's brilliant rose-magenta throat.

 

Habitat and Range

Black-chinned Hummingbirds occupy an impressive variety of habitats throughout western North America.

Historically, they were most closely associated with riparian habitats, especially cottonwood-lined rivers and streams. Water sources remain important today because they support abundant flowering plants and insect populations.

In Colorado, Black-chinned Hummingbirds are most common in lower elevations and along river corridors. They are regular summer visitors to Colorado Springs and often appear at backyard feeders.

Their breeding range extends from southern British Columbia and the western United States into northern Mexico. During winter, most migrate into Mexico.

Unlike some hummingbirds that remain tightly associated with specific habitats, Black-chinned Hummingbirds readily utilize urban and suburban environments. Flowering gardens, parks, golf courses, and residential neighborhoods often provide excellent habitat.

 

Food Preferences and Feeding Behavior

Like other hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds depend heavily on flower nectar.

Using their long bills and specialized tongues, they extract nectar from a variety of flowering plants. Native species such as penstemons, scarlet gilia, bee balm, and columbines are particularly attractive.

Nectar provides energy-rich sugars, but hummingbirds also require protein. They obtain this by consuming small insects and spiders.

Black-chinned Hummingbirds frequently catch insects in midair through a behavior known as hawking. They also glean tiny prey from leaves, bark, and spider webs.

A hummingbird may visit hundreds or even thousands of flowers each day while defending productive feeding territories from competitors.

 

Courtship and Mating

Courtship begins soon after males arrive on breeding grounds.

Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds perform dramatic aerial displays designed to attract females. During these displays, a male climbs high into the air before diving steeply toward a perched female.

These dives may exceed 30 miles per hour despite the bird's tiny size.

At the bottom of the dive, the male pulls upward sharply, creating a U-shaped flight pattern. Sunlight reflecting from the iridescent throat feathers enhances the display.

Females evaluate multiple males before selecting a mate.

Like most hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds do not form long-term pair bonds. After mating, the female assumes all responsibility for nest building and raising young.

 

Nesting

Female Black-chinned Hummingbirds are master architects.

Nests are typically placed on horizontal branches in shrubs or trees. Cottonwoods, willows, sycamores, and ornamental trees are common choices.

The nest itself is remarkably small, often no larger than half of a walnut shell.

Construction materials include:

Plant down
Soft fibers
Spider silk
Lichens
Moss fragments

Spider silk serves as a flexible binding material that allows the nest to stretch as chicks grow.

The female carefully camouflages the exterior using lichens and bark fragments, helping the nest blend into its surroundings.

 

Raising Young

Females generally lay two tiny white eggs.

Incubation lasts approximately 14 to 19 days.

Once hatched, the chicks are entirely dependent on their mother. They emerge blind, featherless, and unable to regulate their body temperature.

The female feeds them a mixture of nectar and partially digested insects delivered directly into their mouths.

As the chicks grow, feather development occurs rapidly. Within a few weeks they begin resembling miniature adults.

Young Black-chinned Hummingbirds typically leave the nest between 20 and 26 days after hatching.

Even after fledging, they continue receiving occasional feedings from their mother while developing flight skills and learning to forage independently.

Within several weeks they become fully self-sufficient.

By late summer many young birds begin preparing for migration, building fat reserves that will fuel their long journeys south.

 

Tips for Attracting or Spotting Black-chinned Hummingbirds

Attracting Black-chinned Hummingbirds can be surprisingly easy.

Provide nectar feeders filled with a solution of one part white sugar to four parts water. Avoid dyes, honey, or artificial sweeteners.

Plant native flowers that bloom throughout the season.

Good choices include:

Penstemon
Scarlet gilia
Bee balm
Columbine
Salvia
Agastache

Keep feeders clean and fresh, especially during hot weather.

When birding, watch for hummingbirds perched on exposed branches. Black-chinned Hummingbirds frequently use elevated perches from which they monitor feeding territories.

 

Vocalizations and Calls

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are generally quiet compared to many songbirds.

Their most common vocalizations include sharp chips, ticks, and soft buzzing notes.

During courtship displays, the sounds created by wing movement can become an important part of communication.

Many people first notice a hummingbird not by hearing a call but by hearing the distinctive hum created by rapidly beating wings.

 

Role in the Ecosystem

Black-chinned Hummingbirds play an important role as pollinators.

As they move between flowers, pollen adheres to their heads and bills. This helps plants reproduce and maintain healthy populations.

They also help control insect populations by consuming thousands of tiny insects throughout the breeding season.

In turn, hummingbirds serve as prey for larger predators, contributing to healthy food webs.

 

Bird Feeding Connections

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are among the species most likely to benefit from backyard feeding programs.

A clean nectar feeder can provide a reliable energy source during migration, breeding, and periods of poor weather.

We also encourage bird lovers to think beyond feeders. The best hummingbird habitat combines supplemental feeding with native flowering plants, water sources, and insect-friendly gardening practices.

Creating a layered habitat provides food, shelter, and nesting opportunities while benefiting many other wildlife species.

 

Conclusion

The Black-chinned Hummingbird may lack the dramatic colors of some western hummingbirds, but it more than compensates through adaptability, athleticism, and ecological importance.

From desert canyons to suburban gardens, this tiny bird demonstrates how wildlife can thrive when suitable habitat remains available. Whether hovering at a feeder, flashing its hidden violet gorget in the sunlight, or carrying insects back to a nest hidden among the branches, the Black-chinned Hummingbird reminds us that some of nature's greatest wonders come in the smallest packages.

The next time a hummingbird visits your yard, take a closer look. You may discover that one of Colorado's most remarkable summer birds has been visiting all along.