1. Their Purple Throat Is Actually Black

Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds are named for their black throat, and for much of the day that's exactly what it looks like. The brilliant purple band that birders love to see is created by microscopic structures in the feathers that reflect light. Depending on the angle of the sun, the throat may appear jet black one moment and glowing violet the next.

2. They Can Enter a State Similar to Hibernation Every Night

Hummingbirds burn energy at an astonishing rate, but flowers don't produce nectar after dark. To survive the night, Black-chinned Hummingbirds enter a state called torpor. Their body temperature drops dramatically, their heart rate slows, and they conserve precious energy until sunrise.

 

3. Their Heart Beats Faster Than Almost Any Other Bird

When actively flying, a Black-chinned Hummingbird's heart can beat more than 1,200 times per minute. By comparison, a human heart at rest typically beats 60 to 100 times per minute.

 

4. They Sometimes Steal Spider Silk

Spider silk is one of the most important materials used in hummingbird nests. Black-chinned Hummingbirds have been observed pulling silk directly from spider webs. While this may be frustrating for the spider, the silk helps create a flexible nest that expands as the chicks grow.

 

5. They Can Fly Upside Down

Like other hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds have a unique shoulder joint that allows their wings to rotate in a complete figure-eight motion. This gives them incredible maneuverability, including the ability to briefly fly upside down.

 

6. They Remember Where the Best Flowers Are

Black-chinned Hummingbirds have excellent spatial memory. They can remember the locations of productive flowers and feeders and often visit them in a predictable sequence known as a trapline. This allows them to maximize feeding efficiency while minimizing energy use.

 

10. They Help Pollinate More Plants Than Most People Realize

While bees often get most of the credit for pollination, hummingbirds are important pollinators for many tubular flowers throughout the West. Some plants have evolved specifically to attract hummingbirds with bright colors and nectar-rich blooms.