Quick Answer
Black-chinned hummingbirds are found throughout Utah during their breeding season from April through September. They can be found in a variety of habitats including canyons, foothills, and mountains up to around 9,000 feet in elevation. The southern and eastern parts of Utah including the Colorado Plateau tend to have the highest populations of black-chinned hummingbirds. Some key areas to spot them include Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Canyonlands National Park.
The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small, nimble hummingbird that breeds in the western United States and migrates south to Mexico for the winter. In Utah, these tiny birds can be found zipping from flower to flower during their breeding season from spring through early fall.
Black-chinned hummingbirds are classified as “summer residents” in Utah, meaning they migrate from their wintering grounds in Mexico up to Utah and other western states to take advantage of the boom in flowering plants and nesting habitat during the warmer months. By understanding where they tend to be found during breeding season, bird enthusiasts and nature lovers can increase their chances of observing these energetic, acrobatic birds.
So exactly where are the best places to look for black-chinned hummingbirds in Utah? While their distribution may vary slightly year to year depending on environmental conditions, there are certain habitats and regions of the state that they tend to favor.
Favored Habitats
Black-chinned hummingbirds utilize a variety of habitat types during the breeding season in Utah, including:
– Canyons – Utah is known for its scenic canyons carved through red rock and mountain ranges. Canyons provide excellent nesting spots in the form of protected rock crevices and sheltered cavities. Canyons also support many of the flowering plants that black-chins rely on for food such as Indian paintbrush, penstemon, and columbine.
– Foothills – The foothills or lower elevations of Utah’s mountains and mountain ranges offer prime habitat. Here there are plentiful flowers and nesting sites as well as a blend of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation.
– Montane regions – Higher mountain elevations up to around 9,000 feet are also inhabited by black-chinned hummingbirds in summer. The availability of flowering meadows and alpine plants draws them to these mountain zones.
– Riparian areas – Rivers, streams, springs, and wetlands surrounded by trees and shrubs are preferred habitats. These lush riparian corridors provide nectar flowers, insect prey, nesting materials, and perches for the birds.
Key Features of Favored Habitats
Within these key habitats, there are certain features that black-chinned hummingbirds seek out:
– Abundant nectar sources – A diversity of tubular flowers that provide nectar such as columbine, honeysuckle, paintbrush, sunflowers, and native wildflowers.
– Protected nesting sites – Small cavities, crevices, or branches in trees, rock walls, or overhangs that provide shelter and seclusion for nest building.
– Insect availability – A healthy population of small insects like gnats, mosquitos, spiders, and flies that the birds eat for protein.
– Nesting materials – Downy vegetation, plant fibers, spiders webs, and lichens used in soft, cushioned nest construction.
– Perching spots – Bare branches, power lines, fences, rocks, and other surfaces that allow the birds to perch and rest between feedings.
– Water access – Nearby streams, seeps, ponds, or bird baths where the hummingbirds can drink and bathe.
Regions and Areas to Spot Black-Chinned Hummingbirds
While black-chinned hummingbirds can be found statewide during summer, there are certain regions and protected lands where sightings are more probable.
Southeastern Utah
Southeast Utah has a high diversity of hummingbird species during summer, including abundant black-chins. Some top areas include:
– Canyonlands National Park – This iconic park with deep sandstone canyons, mesas, and the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers provides ideal habitat. Black-chins are commonly seen along the Colorado River near Moab.
– Arches National Park – The dramatic high desert landscape with over 2,000 natural rock arches hosts black-chinned hummingbirds, especially among the cottonwoods and willows along creek beds.
– Natural Bridges National Monument – Three majestic stone bridges towering over deep canyons dotted with cottonwoods and willows attract the black-chins.
– San Juan River – The riparian corridor along the San Juan River in southeastern Utah offers cottonwood forests, willow thickets, and lush flowers.
Southern Utah
The sweeping red rock country and forested high plateaus of southern Utah support breeding black-chinned hummingbirds. Prime areas include:
– Zion National Park – With towering sandstone cliffs adorned with hanging gardens and lush vegetation along the Virgin River, Zion is a hummingbird haven.
– Bryce Canyon National Park – From the forested canyon bottoms to openings of the hoodoos at higher elevations, Bryce Canyon provides the mix of habitats used by black-chins.
– Cedar Breaks National Monument – At over 10,000 feet elevation, this massive natural amphitheater rimmed with cliffs and mosaic of wildflowers attracts the hummingbirds.
– Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – The expansive plateaus, slot canyons, and creek drainages dotted with springs and seeps support good black-chin populations.
Eastern Utah
While eastern Utah tends to be drier, some areas with adequate moisture provide excellent black-chinned hummingbird habitat, including:
– La Sal Mountains – These isolated mountains with peaks reaching nearly 14,000 feet offer cooler, moister conditions. Black-chins buzz among the high elevation meadows and aspen groves.
– San Rafael Swell – Box canyons cutting into the swell provide pockets of pinyon-juniper woodlands, sagebrush, and riparian habitat for the hummingbirds.
– Green River – Lush vegetation lines the banks of the Green River as it winds its way through eastern Utah, providing habitat for black-chins.
– Hovenweep National Monument – Ancient stone towers and cliff dwellings situated along canyon tributaries host the tiny birds.
Northern Utah
While northern Utah is generally drier with fewer stands of flowers, some habitats support black-chinned hummingbirds in summer:
– Wasatch Mountains – The Wasatch Range rising over 7,000 feet offers cooler, wetter mountain conditions with meadows and aspen stands that attract hummingbirds.
– Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Extensive wetlands along the Great Salt Lake provide habitat for black-chins among the sedges, cattails, and willow thickets.
– High Uintas Wilderness – Subalpine meadows dotted with colorful wildflowers in these remote mountains provide summer habitat for black-chins and other hummingbird species.
Identification
Identifying black-chinned hummingbirds is important for documenting sightings by region and habitat type. Here are some key identification features:
– Small size – About 3 to 3.5 inches long, making them Utah’s smallest breeding bird.
– Dark tail feathers – Outer tail feathers are purple-black on adult males. Females and juveniles have dark greenish tail feathers with white tips.
– Chin patch – Adult males have a distinctive black patch on the chin and throat that appears velvety.
– Call – A brisk, scratchy “zee-zee-zee” used during courtship displays.
– Wing beats – 55 beats per second, making a buzzing or humming sound.
– Feeding – Feed from tubular flowers like paintbrush and columbine using their specialized long bills and extendable tongues.
– Flying pattern – Fast and straight over longer distances, interrupted by sudden hovering stops to feed.
– Perching – Frequently perch on small branches and wires, pumping tail up and down.
Seasonal Patterns
Black-chinned hummingbirds have predictable seasonal movement patterns:
Spring Migration
– Arrive in Utah in early to mid April from Mexico.
– Males arrive first to establish breeding territories.
– Expand northward and into higher elevations through May.
– Feed heavily on early spring flowers like currants, gooseberries, and mustard.
Breeding Season
– Peak breeding is May through July.
– Males display dive displays to impress females.
– Tiny nests built of down and fibers in protected sites in trees, shrubs, or rocks.
– Two small white eggs incubated for 14-16 days.
– Young fledge after another 14-28 days.
Summer Residence
– Present in a variety of habitats throughout Utah through summer.
– Favor montane areas with plenty of flowers from May to August.
– Expand into lower foothills and canyons in late summer and fall.
– Feed on late-blooming flowers like rabbitbrush and sage.
Fall Migration
– Begin migrating south in August and September.
– Use blooms of autumn flowers to fuel migration.
– Linger at higher elevations and northern areas through September.
– Most have departed Utah by mid October.
– Migrate through Arizona, New Mexico, and into Mexico for the winter.
Threats and Conservation
Although black-chinned hummingbird populations are generally stable, they face some key threats:
– Habitat loss – Development, logging, overgrazing, and wildfires can degrade or destroy their specialized mountain and riparian habitats.
– Drought – Reduces availability of flowers, nesting materials, and insects needed to sustain breeding populations.
– Climate change – Long-term warming and drying trends may reduce habitat suitability in parts of their current breeding range.
– Window collisions – They can fatally collide with windows while flying or displaying near buildings.
– Predators – Nest predators like jays, squirrels, and snakes may hamper breeding success. Free-roaming cats also kill many birds.
– Pesticides – Insecticides reduce insect prey. Herbicides can diminish nectar sources.
To aid black-chinned hummingbird conservation:
– Protect key habitats from excessive logging, grazing, development, and water diversion.
– Provide artificial feeders as supplemental food sources, especially during droughts.
– Reduce or eliminate pesticide use in gardens, parks, and other green spaces.
– Limit free-roaming cats and other predators, especially near nesting sites.
– Install UV-reflective glass or stickers on windows to prevent collisions.
– Participate in citizen science surveys and bird counts to expand knowledge of populations.
– Support parks, refuges, and nature conservation organizations that protect hummingbird habitat.
Conclusion
Utah’s diverse landscape provides ideal summer breeding habitat for black-chinned hummingbirds in canyons, foothills, riparian corridors, and mountain meadows and forests. Southeastern Utah including protected areas like Canyonlands and Arches National Parks tend to have especially high densities, but they can be found statewide. Providing nectar sources, nest sites, and reducing threats will help ensure these energetic pollinators and aerial acrobats continue brightening Utah’s summers with their beauty and activity for years to come.
