Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Species: Archilochus alexandri
Type: Bird
Range: Western and Central United States; winters in Mexico
Typical Size: 3.5 inches long; wingspan about 4.3 inches; weight 2.5-3.5 grams
Plumage Colors: Males have a black throat with an iridescent purple base (visible in bright light), green back, and grayish-white underparts; females are pale below with green above and a plain throat
Habitat Needs: Open woodlands, desert scrub, gardens, riparian areas, and suburban yards
Activity Period: Diurnal
Diet: Nectar from flowers and feeders, small insects and spiders
Song/Call Description: Soft, dry chips and a high-pitched ticking; wings create a distinctive low-pitched hum in flight

Bird Behavior

Notable Behaviors: Hover-feeding, aggressive at feeders, males perform diving courtship displays with an audible “chirp” from tail feathers
Nesting Habits: Females build tiny nests on horizontal branches, often over streams or shaded areas; uses plant fibers and spider silk
Attracts To Garden By: Nectar feeders, native flowering plants, shaded perches near water
Migration Patterns: Migrates north in early spring; in North Texas from March to September; winters south of the U.S. border

Favorite Plants Or Features

Favorite Trees/Shrubs: Willow, sycamore, oak, or hackberry for nesting and shelter
Favorite Flowers/Grasses: Salvia, red yucca, trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, penstemon
Shelter Choices: Shrubby thickets, riparian trees, and shaded garden corners

Notes

Interaction with Pets: Cats and dogs may pose a threat, especially near ground-level feeders; otherwise avoids direct interaction
Special Notes: One of the most adaptable hummingbirds in the western U.S.; often outcompeted by the more flamboyant Ruby-throats in overlapping zones

Description

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a subtle beauty among its flashier kin, best appreciated in the right light when the male’s black throat suddenly flares a glint of deep violet. Commonly found in Texas backyards during the warm months, they favor shaded feeders and dart swiftly between flowers, often less aggressive than Ruby-throats but no less determined. Their courtship display-plunging arcs paired with a chirp from vibrating tail feathers-is a seasonal treat. We’ve spotted them at our feeder more frequently in late spring and early summer, where they coexist (grudgingly) with other hummingbirds. Sleek, agile, and quick to vanish, the Black-chinned Hummingbird brings a quieter kind of charm to the garden.