The black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird that is native to western North America. Here is a quick overview of where black-chinned hummingbirds live:
Range
Black-chinned hummingbirds are found predominantly in the western United States, northwestern Mexico, and southern British Columbia in Canada during the breeding season. Their breeding range extends from southern British Columbia south through western Washington, Oregon, and California. It reaches east to western Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas.
During winter, black-chinned hummingbirds migrate to Mexico and the southern United States. Their winter range includes coastal California south through Baja California, and from southern Arizona and southern New Mexico into central Mexico.
Habitat
Black-chinned hummingbirds occupy a variety of habitat types within their broad geographic range, including:
- Riparian woodlands
- Desert oases
- Pine-oak forests
- Mountain meadows
- Scrublands
- Backyards and parks in urban areas
They tend to prefer habitats that provide plenty of nectar-producing flowers, insect prey, and trees or shrubs for nesting. During migration and in winter, they are very common in desert scrub, backyards, and parks.
Ideal Habitat Features
Specific habitat features that black-chinned hummingbirds favor include:
- An abundance of tubular, nectar-rich flowers such as columbine, trumpet vine, salvia, and honeysuckle
- Trees and shrubs for nesting, especially those near water or nectar sources
- A nearby water source such as a stream, pond, or fountain
- Plenty of small insects and spiders for eating
- Nectar feeders in yards, parks, and gardens
- Protected microclimates in deserts and at higher elevations
Key Locations
Some key areas where black-chinned hummingbirds are found include:
- The Columbia River Valley in Washington and British Columbia
- The mountains of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
- The Southwestern deserts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico
- Riparian canyons and oases in Texas
- The Pacific Coast Ranges of California and Oregon
- The Central Valley of California
- Suburban parks and backyards across the western U.S.
Population and Conservation Status
Black-chinned hummingbirds remain widespread and common throughout their breeding and wintering ranges. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 7 million, with 78% spending part of the year in the U.S.[1] They have a large range and are not considered threatened or endangered.
However, some threats to black-chinned hummingbird populations include:
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Pesticides and pollution
- Climate change drying out key water sources in their habitat
Ongoing conservation measures for black-chinned hummingbirds include:
- Protecting riparian areas through habitat restoration
- Providing artificial feeders and nectar sources in parks and yards
- Reducing or eliminating pesticide use
- Careful water management in the Southwest
Conclusion
In summary, black-chinned hummingbirds occupy a wide range across western North America. They are found in a variety of habitat types where they can find ample nectar, insects, water, and nesting sites. Though they remain common, conservation measures are needed in some areas to ensure healthy populations into the future.
References
[1] Partners in Flight. 2019. Black-chinned Hummingbird conservation plan. https://pif.birdconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BCHU_CONSPLAN_20190624.pdf
Season | Range |
---|---|
Breeding (March to August) | Western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico and west Texas |
Winter (September to February) | Southern California to central Mexico |
Typical Habitats
Habitat | Features | Location |
---|---|---|
Riparian woodlands | Cottonwoods, willows, shade, water | River valleys of the Southwest |
Mountain meadows | Wildflowers, shrubs, streams | Sierras, Cascades, Rockies |
Desert oases | Springs, shade trees | Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan deserts |
Parks and gardens | Feeders, flowers, fountains | Cities across the western U.S. |
Threats and Conservation
Threats
- Habitat loss from development and agriculture
- Overgrazing and trampling of riparian areas by livestock
- Water diversion and drought drying up springs and streams
- Invasive species crowding out native plants
- Pesticides reducing insect prey
Conservation Actions
- Protection and restoration of riparian habitats
- Sustainable grazing practices near streams and springs
- Careful water management in arid regions
- Providing artificial nectar sources in parks and yards
- Reducing pesticide use
Nesting and Reproduction
Here are some key facts about black-chinned hummingbird nesting and reproduction:
- Nesting season lasts from March to June
- Females build a small cup nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens
- Nests are located 3-20 feet up in trees, often oak, willow, or cottonwood
- Typical clutch size is 2 white eggs
- Incubation lasts 16-18 days
- Chicks fledge about 3 weeks after hatching
- Females do all incubation and raising of the young
- Males establish breeding territories and court females
Nest success is threatened by habitat loss and predation from jays, squirrels, and other wildlife. Providing protected breeding areas helps support productive nesting.
Migration
The migration of black-chinned hummingbirds occurs along the following routes and timeline:
- Spring migration north runs from late February to early May
- Fall migration south lasts from July into September
- Migrates through Southwest deserts and along the Pacific Coast
- Also uses inland corridors like the Central Valley in California
- Can travel 25-125 miles in a single day during migration
- Migrating birds rely on nectar and insects from flowers and feeders
Protecting and restoring habitat along migration routes provides crucial rest stops for these small birds as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds.
Diet and Feeding
Black-chinned hummingbirds have a high-energy diet consisting of:
- Nectar from tubular flowers of plants like columbine, trumpet vine, bee balm, and others
- Tree sap or insects caught in flight or gleaned from trees
- Small spiders and insects including mosquitoes, fruit flies, gnats, aphids
- Sugar water from artificial feeders in yards and gardens
They feed frequently due to their very fast metabolism, visiting hundreds of flowers per day and consuming up to 8 times their body weight in nectar. Maintaining natural and artificial nectar sources is key to supporting their energy needs.
Common Nectar Plants
Plant | Flowers | Range |
---|---|---|
Salvias | Tubular red, white, purple | Southwest, Texas, Mexico |
Columbine | Red and yellow, spurred | West Coast, Rockies, Southwest |
Penstemons | Trumpet-shaped, red-purple | West Coast, Rockies, Great Basin |
Fuchsia | Red and purple, tubular | California, Oregon, Southwest |
Artificial Feeders
Feeders with sugar water supplemented with electrolytes provide an excellent nectar source for black-chinned hummingbirds in areas where natural flowers are limited, such as on migration or in winter. Here are some tips for successful feeders:
- Use a 1:4 sugar to water ratio
- Add electrolytes to the mix
- Clean feeders every 2-3 days to prevent mold
- Use feeders with bee guards to keep out bees
- Have multiple feeders spread around your yard
Interesting Facts
- Black-chinned hummingbird hearts beat up to 1,260 beats per minute
- They can fly forward, backward, upside down, and hover in place
- Their wings beat 55-75 times per second
- They build one of the smallest bird nests, only about 1 inch across
- They have specially adapted forked tongues for drinking nectar
- To conserve energy at night, they go into torpor, lowering their body temperature and heart rate
- They produce a rapid chipping call and elaborate dawn songs
- Their breeding displays include aerial power dives and pendulum flights
These energetic, acrobatic hummingbirds bring beauty and activity to gardens and parks across their western North American range.
Conclusion
Black-chinned hummingbirds occupy diverse habitat across western North America along their breeding range and migration routes. Though they remain common, protecting key habitat features, providing artificial nectar sources, and reducing threats can help maintain healthy populations of these charismatic hummingbirds into the future.