Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)

Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Credit: Jack Lizard (Size: 84.15 kb)

Males

The male Black-chinned Hummingbird is about 10 centimetres long and weighs a little more than 3 grams. Its black beak is long, straight and slender. Its back, sides, tail and crown are metallic green. Its iridescent black throat sometimes appears to be purple. A purple band separates its throat from its white breast. Its forked tail has dark feathers on each side and 2 green tail feathers in the centre. Its wings are dark.

Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Credit: Ra'id Khalil (Size: 9.25 kb)

Females and immature birds

The female Black-chinned Hummingbird weighs a little more than the male, about 3.4 g. Like the male, its back, sides, tail and crown are metallic green. Its throat sometimes has a little dark and greenish striping. The extremities of its tail feathers are white. Immature males resemble adult females, with purple on the lower throat.

Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Credit: Desert Vu (Size: 118.90 kb)

Nests

The nest is built of plant down woven together with spider webs and is made on a trailing branch or in the fork of a tree branch. It is usually located 2 metres from the ground. The female usually has two clutches per year, and sometimes three. The two eggs are incubated for between 16 to 21 days.

Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Credit: Jack Lizard (Size: 133.12 kb)

Where can it be seen?

Chances are rare that you'll see a Black-chinned Hummingbird in Canada; only a few of these birds nest in the interior of British Columbia. They normally frequent semi-arid settings, gorges and canyons.

To learn more about its range, follow this link.