Birds diurnal

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

A master of desert and garden alike, the Black-chinned Hummingbird is a shimmering jewel of the West. Watch for its signature tail-pump and the hidden flash of purple that defines this resilient little traveler.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 3.25-3.75 in (8-9 cm); Wingspan: 4.3 in (11 cm); Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz (3-6 g)

palette

Colors

Males have a velvety black throat with an iridescent purple base and metallic green back. Females are metallic green above and pale gray-to-white below.

visibility

Key Features

Velvety black throat with a hidden iridescent purple band
Long, straight, and very slender bill
Frequent tail-pumping motion while hovering
Distinctly pale underparts with greenish flanks

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6-10 AM and 4-7 PM

calendar_month

Season April-September

restaurant

Diet Primary diet consists of floral nectar for energy and small insects like gnats and spiders for protein, often caught mid-air or plucked from webs.

park

Habitat Widespread across suburban gardens, riverside thickets, oak woodlands, and semi-arid scrublands.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Black-chinned Hummingbirds are exceptionally adaptable and energetic visitors to Western backyards. Known for their agility, they often hover for long periods at nectar sources, frequently pumping their tails in a rhythmic motion that helps distinguish them from other species. While they are tiny, they are fiercely territorial, often guarding a favorite feeder or patch of flowers from other hummingbirds with dramatic aerial displays and sharp 'tchip' calls.

These birds are highly migratory, traveling long distances between their breeding grounds in the Western U.S. and southwestern Canada to their wintering homes in Mexico. In suburban settings, they quickly learn to recognize humans as a source of food, often hovering right in front of windows or empty feeders to 'remind' homeowners to refill the sugar water. They are also known for their 'shuttle display,' where males fly back and forth in a tight arc to impress females.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the stunning iridescence of a Black-chinned Hummingbird on camera, lighting is everything. Place your camera so the sun is behind the lens or at a 45-degree angle to the feeder. This ensures the light hits the male's throat (gorget) directly, revealing the brilliant purple band that otherwise looks flat black. Position the camera about 2 to 3 feet away from a nectar feeder or a cluster of tubular flowers like Salvia or Penstemon. Using a tripod or a specialized bird-feeder mount will help keep the frame stable for these fast-moving subjects.

Because hummingbirds move at incredible speeds, your camera settings are critical. If your AI camera or trail cam allows for manual adjustments, aim for a high shutter speed (1/1000s or faster) to freeze the wing motion. If you are using a standard backyard camera, look for a 'burst' mode or high-speed video setting. Focus the lens on the feeder's ports or a specific flower stalk where the bird is likely to hover; since depth of field is narrow at close range, pre-focusing on the 'action zone' is more effective than relying on slow autofocus.

Luring these birds is best done with a simple 4:1 water-to-sugar nectar solution—avoid red dyes as they are unnecessary and can be harmful. For the best 'natural' shots, try placing a slender perching branch about 5 to 10 feet away from the feeder. Hummingbirds often 'stage' on these nearby branches to scan for rivals before darting in to eat, providing a perfect opportunity for a still portrait. Early morning and late afternoon offer the softest, most flattering light for their metallic feathers.

During the peak of summer, these birds are highly active during the heat of the day but will visit most frequently during the 'golden hours' of dawn and dusk. If you notice a particular bird returning to the same spot, it has likely claimed that territory. Keeping your camera fixed on that specific perch or feeder port will yield the most consistent results. Be sure to keep your feeder clean to ensure they keep coming back throughout the season.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black-chinned Hummingbird.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Virtually identical in appearance but found in the Eastern U.S.; the male has a red gorget instead of purple.

Costa's Hummingbird

A smaller desert species where the male's purple gorget extends further down the neck into long 'mustache' feathers.

Anna's Hummingbird

Larger and stouter with a rose-red crown and throat; Anna's are often year-round residents while Black-chins migrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Like most hummingbirds, they are most active during the first few hours after sunrise and the hours just before sunset to fuel up for the night, though they will feed throughout the day.

Plant native tubular flowers like desert willow, penstemon, or honeysuckle, and maintain a clean nectar feeder with a 4:1 water-to-sugar ratio (no dye).

They thrive on a mix of sugar-rich nectar for flight energy and protein-packed insects like gnats, fruit flies, and small spiders plucked from the air or webs.

Yes, they are one of the most common and widespread hummingbirds in Western suburban environments, especially those with mature trees and reliable water sources.

Black-chins have a purple throat band instead of red, and their ranges rarely overlap; Black-chins are found in the West, while Ruby-throats are found in the East.

Record Black-chinned Hummingbird at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo