Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds to observe due to their tiny size, incredible speed, and beautiful plumage. Of the many hummingbird species found in North America, one that is commonly seen across much of the western and southwestern United States is the black-chinned hummingbird.
Black-chinned hummingbirds display some key identifying features that can help birdwatchers confidently distinguish them from other similar hummingbird species. Here is a guide to the main physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and range of black-chinned hummingbirds to help you recognize these tiny, swift-flying birds.
Distinctive Physical Features
Several key physical features are useful for identifying black-chinned hummingbirds:
- Size and shape: Black-chinned hummers are small, with adults reaching 3 to 3.5 inches in length. They have a slender, straight bill and a compact body shape typical of hummingbirds.
- Color pattern: Adult males have a dark, purple-black chin and throat feathers that appear black unless caught in the light. The forehead and crown are green, while the back and sides are grayish-green. The belly and undertail are white. Females lack the dark chin and throat feathers, instead displaying light gray underparts with green on the back.
- Tail shape: Black-chinned hummingbirds have a notch in the tip of the outer tail feathers, causing the tail to appear forked. This is a useful clue to distinguish them from other green-backed hummers like ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds, which lack tail forking.
- Wing markings: In flight, look for prominent white tips on the outer primary wing feathers. This is a good distinguishing mark compared to the smaller white dots on the wing tips of ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Behavioral Cues
In addition to physical features, black-chinned hummingbird behavior can aid identification:
- Feeding style: Black-chinned hummers lick nectar using a straight, extended tongue, whereas other species like Calliope hummingbird curl their tongue around food.
- Flight style: These birds have a distinctive flight style, with rapid wing beats followed by a glide on outstretched wings that gives their flight profile a sawtooth appearance.
- Vocalizations: The most common call is a scratchy, metallic “zeeep” used by males during courtship displays. Other chattering and chipping notes may be heard around nests.
- Aggressive behavior: Black-chinned males are highly territorial and aggressively chase other males or even large insects from their feeding areas.
Preferred Habitat
Knowing the typical habitats of black-chinned hummingbirds can also help pinpoint ID:
- Woodland edges: Black-chins frequent open woodlands, parks, and backyards, especially those bordering forests or water.
- Mountain meadows: High mountain meadows with flower fields are a prime summer habitat.
- Desert oases: In fall and winter, these birds increasingly inhabit desert washes, oases, and scrublands.
- Suburban gardens: Black-chins will visit nectar feeders in gardens, patios, and other suburban settings.
Range and Distribution
Consider the location and time of year when identifying black-chinned hummingbirds:
- Breeding range: In summer, black-chins breed across the western half of North America from British Columbia to Baja California and east to the Rocky Mountains and western Texas.
- Migration and winter range: Most birds migrate south in fall to winter in Mexico. Some reach as far as Central America and southern Florida.
- Vagrant sightings: Rarely seen outside their normal range except for occasional vagrant sightings eastward and along the Pacific coast.
Here is a helpful range map for black-chinned hummingbirds:
| Season | Range |
|---|---|
| Breeding (summer) | Western North America from British Columbia to Baja California, east to the Rocky Mountains and western Texas |
| Migration | Southward in fall through the Southwest to Mexico |
| Winter | Mexico; small numbers reach Central America and southern Florida |
| Vagrant | Rarely found outside normal range except for vagrant birds along the Pacific coast and eastward |
Similar Species Comparison
When identifying black-chinned hummingbirds, it helps to understand how they differ from other hummingbirds that overlap in range:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Ruby-throats lack the bold black chin of adult male black-chins.
- Ruby-throats have unmarked white undertail coverts compared to the dark-centered undertail of black-chins.
- Ruby-throats lack tail forking.
- Ruby-throats are mostly found east of the Great Plains, outside the range of black-chins.
Rufous Hummingbird
- Rufous hummers have rusty colored flanks versus the solid green sides of black-chins.
- Rufous hummers lack tail forking.
- Rufous feathers may show an iridescent orange-red glow in bright light.
- Rufous hummingbirds are strongly migratory, wintering mainly in Mexico unlike most black-chins.
Calliope Hummingbird
- Calliopes are the smallest hummer in the U.S. at about 3 inches long versus 3.5 inches for black-chins.
- Male Calliopes have vivid magenta throat feathers unlike the dark purplish throat of black-chins.
- Calliopes have a shorter, thinner bill than black-chins.
- Calliope habitat and range only partially overlap with black-chins.
Notable Field Marks
When observing hummingbirds, watch for these key identification features of black-chinned hummingbirds:
- Dark chin and throat on males
- Pale gray underparts on females
- Forked tail shape
- White tips on outer wing feathers
- Straight bill shape
- Distinctive “zeeep” call of males
- Habitats like mountain meadows, desert oases, and suburbs
- Range primarily across the western half of North America
Use a Field Guide
A good bird field guide or app can help reinforce the key identification points for black-chinned hummingbirds covered here. Look for guides that provide comparison images of male and female plumages, in-flight silhouettes, range maps, and additional tips on differentiating from similar species.
Final Identification Tips
Here are some final pointers for confidently identifying black-chinned hummingbirds:
- Pay close attention to the chin and throat pattern as the best way to identify adult males.
- Note the tail shape in flight – forked tails distinguish black-chins from many other hummers.
- Watch the bird’s behavior like feeder tactics, vocalizations, and chasing habits.
- Consider the habitat you are birding in – black-chins favor mountain meadows, desert oases, and other western locales during the breeding season.
- Listen for the distinctive metallic “zeeep” call given frequently by males.
- Use a field guide and note key range maps – black-chins primarily inhabit the western half of North America.
Conclusion
Black-chinned hummingbirds exhibit several definitive physical features and behaviors that set them apart from other hummingbird species they overlap with across much of western and southwestern North America. Watch especially for the dark chin and throat on males, forked tail, wing markings, call notes, habitat preferences, and range when seeking to identify these energetic, pugnacious birds. With practice observing key characteristics, anyone can master identifying black-chinned hummingbirds and enjoy learning more about these feisty little hummingbird gems.
