ExploreBirds

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri

The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a tiny bird that loves to zoom around gardens and flowers. With its shiny green feathers and a beautiful black chin, it flits from flower to flower, sipping sweet nectar.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Black-chinned Hummingbird has an iridescent black chin that glows violet in good light, appearing plain black otherwise. Its back is dull metallic green, contrasting with a grayish-white belly. Females are plainer with green backs and pale underparts.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderApodiformesFamilyTrochilidaeGenusArchilochus
Black-chinned Hummingbird
feathered trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgediurnal trait badge
Black-chinned Hummingbird

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A hummingbird's brain is only about the size of a blueberry!

Black-chinned Hummingbirds build nests smaller than a half-dollar coin.

Their tiny heart beats over 1,200 times per minute when flying!

They use stretchy spider silk to help hold their tiny nests together.

Special abilities

Ability

Super Hover Power

Black-chinned Hummingbird can hover perfectly still in mid-air because of unique figure-eight wing beats that help them sip nectar.

Ability

Nectar Sip Tongue

Black-chinned Hummingbird has a long, grooved tongue that helps them lap up flower nectar super fast, like a tiny straw.

Ability

Energy Nap Mode

Black-chinned Hummingbird can enter 'torpor' to slow its body and save energy when food is scarce, like a deep sleep.

Measurements & details

Length
8-9 cm
Wingspan
10-12 cm
Weight
0.0023-0.0049 kg
Lifespan
3-11 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
2
Incubation
13-16 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These tiny birds sip sweet flower nectar for energy and catch small insects for protein.

Primary Foods

  • flower nectar
  • small spiders
  • gnats
  • aphids
  • fruit flies

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Scarlet Sage

Salvia coccinea

Feeds on nectar, aiding flower reproduction.

pollinates

Century Plant

Agave americana

Visits flowers for nectar, spreading pollen.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Larger birds of prey can hunt hummingbirds.

eaten by

Domestic Cat

Felis catus

Introduced predators are a significant threat.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching hummingbirds from a distance, and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Black-chinned Hummingbird?

8-9 cm

What is Black-chinned Hummingbird's wingspan?

10-12 cm

How much does Black-chinned Hummingbird weigh?

0.0023-0.0049 kg

How long does Black-chinned Hummingbird live?

3-11 years

How fast can Black-chinned Hummingbird move?

50 km/h

What does Black-chinned Hummingbird eat?

These tiny birds sip sweet flower nectar for energy and catch small insects for protein.

Where is Black-chinned Hummingbird usually found?

Urban areas

How does Black-chinned Hummingbird hunt?

Foraging

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