Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds are two small, jewel-like birds that can be tricky to tell apart. Both species are found across much of the eastern and central United States and Canada during the summer breeding season. With a little practice, some key identification points will help you distinguish these hummingbirds.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only regularly occurring hummingbird species found east of the Mississippi River. The Black-chinned hummingbird has a more western range, but its breeding grounds overlap with the ruby-throat’s in some areas including the Midwest and along the Gulf Coast. During spring and fall migration, Black-chinned hummingbirds pass through many eastern states.
Telling Black-chinned and ruby-throats apart can be challenging because the differences are subtle. But focusing on a few key identification points makes it easier:
Range
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are found across eastern North America in the summer, including all states east of the Mississippi River. Black-chinned hummingbirds have a more western distribution and are common in western states from California to Texas. However, Black-chinned hummingbirds have expanded their breeding range eastward to overlap with ruby-throats in some areas including parts of the Midwest and along the Gulf Coast.
During migration, Black-chinned hummingbirds occur along the Gulf Coast and wander farther east than their normal range. So Black-chinned hummingbirds found in the eastern United States are especially likely to be migrants stopping over rather than local breeding birds. Paying attention to the time of year can provide helpful clues about which species you’re likely to see.
Bill Color
The bill color is one of the most obvious differences between these two species. Adult male Black-chinned hummingbirds have all black bills. Their bills may show a tiny amount of pale color at the very base, but the majority is solid black.
On ruby-throated hummingbirds, the males have all black bills too. But female and immature ruby-throats have bicolored bills with a black upper mandible and pale lower mandible. The pale area on the lower bill ranges from whitish, yellowish, to reddish-orange. If you see a hummingbird with a bicolored bill, it’s a sure sign of a ruby-throat.
Gorget Color
The colorful iridescent feathers on a hummingbird’s throat are called a gorget. The shape and color of the gorget can be a helpful clue for identifying species.
On the ruby-throat, the adult male has a vivid red gorget. When the light hits just right, it really sparkles. The female ruby-throat lacks any iridescent throat patch. Juveniles and young males have some small black speckles on a light background.
The male Black-chinned hummingbird has a darker purple gorget with a flat appearance. Unlike the ruby-throat, you won’t see any bright red flashes. Females and young Black-chins lack a gorget entirely. They have plain white throats.
When it comes to gorget differences, beware the lighting conditions. The gorget can look much darker in low light or shadow. And a ruby-throat in poor light may resemble a Black-chin. Whenever possible, look at the gorget in direct sunlight to see its true colors.
Voice
Listening for vocalizations is another helpful identification clue. Male Black-chinned hummingbirds have a distinctive buzzy, scratchy call described as a “zeep” or “zit.” They use this call around their breeding territories and to court females.
Male ruby-throats may make a brief high-pitched call during courtship dives. But they don’t vocalize nearly as much as Black-chins. If you hear persistent buzzy notes coming from a male hummingbird, it’s likely a Black-chin.
Size and Shape
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are slightly larger than Black-chinned hummingbirds on average. But the differences in length and mass between the species are subtle. Out in the field, it can be challenging to accurately judge these small birds’ sizes.
One element of shape that stands out is the tail. Male Black-chinned hummingbirds have forked tails with pointed tips on the outer tail feathers. Ruby-throated hummingbirds have square-tipped or rounded tails. Focusing on the tail shape can offer another clue to help separate the species.
Behavior
There are some subtle differences in feeding behaviors between Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds related to the flower shapes they prefer. Black-chins are most strongly associated with tubular flowers adapted to hummingbird pollination. For example, they favor flowers in the honeysuckle family like coral honeysuckle and trumpet vine.
Ruby-throats are a bit more generalized in their feeding. They regularly visit more open, cup-shaped flowers like impatiens and bee balm in addition to tubular flowers. By observing what flowers and feeders attract hummingbirds in your area, you may notice a preference for Black-chins at the tubular flowers.
During the breeding seasons, male Black-chinned hummingbirds are more aggressive and territorial. They spend more time defending feeding areas against intruders. Male ruby-throats may defend a feeding territory too, but they are less intensely territorial than Black-chins.
Range Maps
Comparing range maps and seasonal occurrence charts can provide more context about the likelihood of finding each species in your area. Below are range maps showing the summer breeding ranges of Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Black-chinned hummingbird breeding range | Ruby-throated hummingbird breeding range |
As the maps illustrate, Black-chinned hummingbirds are primarily a western species. But they have expanded eastward to breed in areas overlapping with ruby-throats. During migration, Black-chins occur along the Gulf Coast and some even stray into the eastern US more broadly.
Using a bird identification app or website to understand species ranges can provide another layer of information to help distinguish lookalike species. If you’re located outside the expected range for a particular species during a given season, it’s less likely to show up in your area.
Time of Year
Here are some guidelines about when each species is most likely to be found in different regions:
Northeast US:
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are summer residents and breed in the Northeast. They migrate through the region to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America.
Black-chinned hummingbirds are very rare in northeastern states. Any sightings are likely vagrant migrants in fall or spring.
Southeast US:
Both species breed in parts of the southeastern US. Ruby-throats occupy more of the southeast, while Black-chins are primarily limited to western areas like Texas and Louisiana.
During migration, Black-chins occur more commonly along the Gulf Coast. Careful identification is required, especially with spring and fall migrants.
Midwest US:
Ruby-throats breed across the entire Midwest region. Black-chins have expanded their breeding range east into parts of the Midwest, overlapping with ruby-throat range.
In areas where both species breed, focus on details like bill color and voice to distinguish them. Also look for Black-chins mainly at tubular flowers.
Western US:
Black-chinned hummingbirds are the expected species year-round through the west from California to Texas. Any ruby-throats west of the Rockies are likely to be vagrant migrants.
Similar Species
Two other hummingbird species may overlap in range with Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds and cause confusion:
– Rufous hummingbird: Medium-sized hummingbird with rusty orange gorget on the male and green backs. Rare vagrant in eastern US mostly in winter. Distinctive rusty color makes identification easier.
– Allen’s hummingbird: Green backs, orange gorgets on males, and small size. Limited range in southwest US and Mexico means unlikely to overlap with Black-chin and ruby-throat.
Key Identification Points
Here is a summary of the main identification points for telling Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds apart:
Black-chinned Hummingbird
– Bill: All black on males, black on top and pale on bottom on females
– Gorget: Dark purplish on males, none on females
– Voice: Distinctive buzzy “zeeep” calls by males
– Tail: Forked
– Behavior: Strong preference for tubular flowers, very territorial males
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
– Bill: All black on males, bicolored on females with pale lower mandible
– Gorget: Bright red on males, none on females
– Voice: No notable calls beyond short chips
– Tail: Rounded or square-tipped
– Behavior: Use a variety of flower shapes, less aggressive males
Conclusion
Telling apart Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds requires a sharp eye for subtle differences. Focus on key points like bill color, gorget appearance, vocalizations, and behaviors. Range maps, seasonal occurrence, and location provide helpful context clues. With practice observing and studying these hummingbirds, their identification points will become more familiar. Paying close attention to the combination of small details is the most reliable way to confidently identify Black-chinned and ruby-throated hummingbirds.